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Rights group OCDH documents at least 387 repressive actions in Cuba in October

The Madrid-based Cuban Observatory for Human Rights counted 30 arbitrary detentions and 357 abuses in October, along with 145 police blockades of the homes of activists, independent journalists and relatives of political prisoners.

The Madrid-based Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) reported on Friday that it documented at least 387 repressive actions in Cuba during October: 30 arbitrary detentions and 357 abuses against activists, opposition members, independent journalists, religious leaders, political prisoners and citizens who took part in peaceful protests. The organisation added that it received 73 complaints from political prisoners, ordinary prisoners and their relatives.

The report counts 145 acts of surveillance and police blockades at private homes, a practice that, according to the OCDH, sought to restrict the movements of government critics and prevent them from taking part in public, religious or judicial activities. The provinces with the most complaints were Havana, Matanzas and Villa Clara.

The observatory documented at least 63 abuses against political prisoners: physical assaults, threats, isolation in punishment cells, lack of medical care and medicines, restrictions on contact with relatives, arbitrary transfers and detention conditions said to put their health at risk. The cases listed include prisoners who reported punishment and incommunicado detention in jails in Camagüey, and the prolonged isolation of independent journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro.

In the same month, the OCDH recorded at least 35 people charged in four cases with prosecution requests, linked to critical posts on social media, to the activities of members of the freemasonry and to participation in demonstrations. In Granma, prosecutors sought sentences of up to 10 years in prison in a case related to the circulation of critical videos.

"The regime is increasing repression so that activists leave the country, to intimidate the population and to put pressure on the United States and the European Union," said Yaxys Cires, the OCDH's director of strategy, in remarks translated by Yamacoa. He added that such actions will not resolve "the serious structural crisis nor the distrust within the elite itself".

Sources: Infobae · 14ymedio · Serie Yamacoa: Acciones represivas documentadas por mes (OCDH)

Data updated: 2026-11-07T04:15:00.000Z

Rights group OCDH documents at least 387 repressive actions in Cuba in October | Yamacoa Observatory