The Cuban Prosecutor's Office has requested sentences of up to 9 years of imprisonment against six people who participated on November 7, 2024 in a peaceful protest against the prolonged blackouts in the municipality of Encrucijada, in the province of Villa Clara.
These individuals have been charged with the crime of "public disorder," and the requested sanctions are as follows:
– Yandri Torres Quintana – 9 years in prison
– Rafael Javier Camacho Herrera – 9 years in prison
– José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez – 6 years in prison
– Rodel Bárbaro Rodríguez Espinosa – 5 years in prison
– Yuniesky Lorences Domínguez – 4 years in prison
– Marcos Daniel Díaz Rodríguez – 5 years of restricted freedom
Why are they being accused?
Cubalex obtained access to the Prosecutor's Office's preliminary conclusions, which maintain that the defendants "took advantage of the lack of electricity caused by the energy crisis to disturb public peace." This assertion stems from a criminalizing interpretation of a legitimate protest against extreme living conditions.
The document, signed by prosecutor Ayrebi Miranda Pérez, presents as incriminating elements the fact that the protesters banged pots and pans and shouted slogans such as: “"Turn on the electricity! We want electricity!"”. These acts—common expressions in social protests in crisis contexts—are treated as sufficient evidence to justify criminal charges.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the Prosecutor's Office presents it as an attempt to "massively disrupt public order." However, no acts of physical violence, property damage, or vandalism were reported at any point. What is being criminalized, in reality, is the public expression of citizen discontent in a context of prolonged power outages and a general deterioration of living conditions.
The prosecution accuses six protesters from November 7, 2024 at #Encrucijada of “public disorder”, alleging that they took advantage of the lack of electricity to “disturb public peace”. 
The prosecution is seeking prison sentences of between four and nine years, and up to five years of restricted liberty. A peaceful protest is being treated as a serious crime. 
The prosecution supports its accusation with official witnesses and ideological arguments. The document is signed by prosecutor Ayrebi Miranda Pérez.
A politically motivated case
In the case of the writer and journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez, The accusation rests not only on the fact that he "urged people not to leave the area," but also on ideological and subjective assessments that do not constitute a crime. Among the elements included by the prosecution are:
– His alleged “relationship with people of bad morals and social conduct”
– Their “social media behavior”
– And his “total disaffection for the revolutionary process and its top leader”
These types of arguments—focused on the ideas, personal relationships, and opinions of the accused—reveal a direct criminalization of critical thinking, freedom of expression, and political dissent, in clear contradiction with international human rights standards.
Arrests without a prosecutor's request
In addition to the six people formally charged, Cubalex has documented other alarming cases of arbitrary detention related to the protests of November 7, 2024 in Encrucijada:
Alejandro Morales Pereira remains in detention without a formal indictment against him. Although he participated in the protest of November 7, 2024, his arrest did not occur at that time, but months later, as retaliation for publicly demanding the release of those detained that day.
On February 19, 2025, Alejandro He was violently arrested in front of the headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba in Encrucijada, while peacefully protesting. After his arrest, he was transferred to La Pendiente prison in Santa Clara, where he has been subjected to constant physical and psychological abuse.
According to information received by Cubalex, On June 20, 2025, Alejandro attempted suicide in his cell, in a context of isolation, mistreatment, and denial of specialized medical care. He suffers from mental health disorders, and his condition is incompatible with the prison regime, which exacerbates his vulnerability.
Testimonies indicate that in prison he was handcuffed inside his cell and brutally beaten by guards. During the assault, officers pressured him to shout“Fatherland or death”Alexander, on the other hand, responded firmly:“Homeland and freedom“"His body ended up covered in bruises.".
His situation is critical. The lack of adequate medical care, coupled with ongoing abuse, poses a serious threat to his physical and psychological well-being, and to his life. Alejandro Morales Pereira is today a direct victim of the use of the Cuban penal system as an instrument of political repression.
Two other people remain in custody without formal charges: Andy Pérez Medero y Rasiel Cárdenas Pérez, Those arrested in the community of El Purio, also in Encrucijada, remain in custody without the Public Prosecutor's Office having filed formal charges. Their case exemplifies the practice of detaining people without basic procedural guarantees, in direct violation of the right to due process.
Where is the crime?
Protesting and demanding rights is not a crime. Demanding a dignified life is not a crime.
This case shows how in Cuba criminal law is used disproportionately to punish those who exercise fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and protest.
The evidence presented by the prosecution does not demonstrate violent acts, but rather a legitimate expression of social discontent in the face of the deep economic and energy crisis that the country is going through.
From Cubalex, we warn about the criminalization of peaceful protest as a tool of state repression and demand the immediate release of all people detained for exercising their rights.