The communist government in Cuba has sentenced 22-year-old Mayelín Rodríguez Prado to 15 years in prison for capturing footage of peaceful protests in Nuevitas in August 2022. Rodriguez Prado was among a group of Cuban citizens who participated in the protests and received the harshest sentence for alleged crimes of “continued enemy propaganda” and “sedition.”
Following the protests, where citizens demanded an end to daily blackouts and other harsh conditions, Rodriguez Prado recorded and shared videos of police brutality against protesters, including minors. Despite the video evidence she presented, the prosecution falsified evidence and denied the abuse inflicted on the minors by authorities. Despite her unjust imprisonment, Rodriguez Prado remains resolute and calm, believing that her sentence will not last 15 years.
During an interview from prison, Rodriguez Prado highlighted the plight of others sentenced for their involvement in the Nuevitas protests, including a man who attempted suicide upon receiving his 10-year sentence. Additionally, other protesters like José Armando Torrente Muñoz and Yennis Artola Del Sol received lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the protests, with Del Sol being sentenced for capturing an image of a sign that read “Patria y Vida” (“Homeland and Life”).
Overall, the unjust and severe sentences handed down to those who peacefully protested in Nuevitas highlight the oppressive nature of the Cuban regime and the ongoing struggle for freedom in the country.
