Cuba - April 2024

The Cuban government has announced severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, for those instigating protests via social media. On the state TV program 'Hacemos Cuba', officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Justice Department justified harsh police repression of protests and warned of serious legal consequences for participants and organizers, accusing them of ‘incitement to commit a crime.’ The announcement follows March demonstrations that led to dozens of detentions on sedition charges. Although capital punishment is legal in Cuba, it has not been enforced since 2003. Critics argue these threats mark an escalation in the regime's response to increasing protests over the past few years. This move is seen as a clear warning to anyone considering participating in protests, especially those using social media to organize or broadcast events, further narrowing the already limited civic space for dissent.

Source: Havana Times, ABC