Executive Summary
During September 2024, Cuba faced a profound structural crisis exacerbated by prolonged blackouts, food shortages, a collapsed healthcare system, unpaid wages, and a significant increase in crime. Despite this multi-sectoral collapse, the Cuban regime allocated substantial resources to internal repression and propaganda campaigns, instead of addressing the population's basic needs.
The country suffered blackouts lasting more than 15 hours a day, shortages of gas and water, and a collapsed sewage system. The food situation also worsened: rationed bread was reduced to 60 grams, and cases of people consuming meat from domestic animals were reported. The regime's economic policies continued to negatively impact workers, retirees, farmers, and small business owners.
The report highlights the intensification of cooperation between Cuba and authoritarian regimes such as Russia, Vietnam, and Laos, while the Cuban government continues to use the law as a repressive tool. In contrast, displays of citizen resistance are growing, with 15 public protests documented during the month, despite the repressive context.
Repressive scenario and human rights violations
Cubalex documented 198 human rights violations in 14 provinces, directly affecting 175 people. A total of 435 repressive incidents were recorded. These included enforced disappearances, psychological and physical torture, threats, persistent harassment, and the criminalization of basic rights such as freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and religious practice.
The report highlights serious cases such as that of Berta Soler, repeatedly arrested for trying to attend Mass; José Daniel Ferrer, held in prolonged isolation without medical attention; and Lizandra Góngora, separated from her children and deprived of adequate medical care. It also denounced the systematic use of punishments such as keeping women detained for hours in closed patrol cars.
New, disproportionate prosecution requests were filed for political reasons: up to 15 years in prison for peaceful protests. or social media posts. An ongoing campaign against independent journalists was also reported, involving threats, prolonged interrogations, and arbitrary confiscations.
This report is based on an analysis of 549 records collected between September 1 and 30, including news reports, social media posts, and direct reports to Cubalex. The data is not exhaustive due to limited access to information, so the organization urges victims and their families to submit their complaints so they can be documented and receive legal support.
We invite you to consult the full report to learn more details about the violations documented by Cubalex.