Executive Summary
July: the most repressive month since August 2022
July 2024 became the month with the most repressive events recorded by Cubalex since monthly reports began in August 2022. In total, the following were documented: 424 repressive acts, which involved 886 violation incidents distributed across 50 different categories. Between July 8 and 12 alone, in the lead-up to the third anniversary of the social uprising of July 11, 160 acts of harassment occurred.
The month was marked by a combination of increased repression and the country's deteriorating socioeconomic situation. The government implemented new measures against the private sector while failing to meet its obligations regarding basic necessities, agricultural production, and energy supply. The health situation continues to worsen, and the Oropouche virus is present throughout the country.
Internationally, the Cuban regime showed support for authoritarian and anti-democratic processes, such as the electoral fraud in Venezuela, and strengthened ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Belarus.
During the month, at least 266 people They were victims of at least one act of repression. The most affected provinces were Havana, Matanzas and Villa Clara, with outbreaks in municipalities such as Santa Clara, Camagüey and Guanabacoa.
Repression in prisons and in public spaces
The lack of medicine and medical care in prisons, enforced disappearances, arbitrary transfers, and torture were denounced. On the streets, at least 52 people were besieged in their homes y 42 were digitally disconnected through internet and cell phone blockages, especially on symbolic dates such as July 11 and 26.
New convictions were also reported, including those against five participants in the Caimanera protest (2023) y Carlos Michael Morales, independent journalist imprisoned again after two hunger strikes that put his life at risk.
Other human rights violations
The report documents violations of freedom of movement (people being “regulated”), pressure to force exile, politically motivated dismissals from jobs, and digital attacks coordinated by State Security to defame opponents. It also highlights state interference in the affairs of Cuban Freemasonry, violating freedom of association and belief.
Methodology
The report was compiled from an analysis of 651 records collected between July 1 and 31, 2024. Sources included Facebook posts (288), Twitter posts (103), news websites (176), and reports sent directly to Cubalex (74). The organization notes that, due to technological limitations, censorship, and fear of reprisals, many complaints are not made public. Therefore, this report represents an undercount and does not fully reflect the true extent of human rights violations occurring in Cuba.
For more details on the documented violations, please see our full report.