Human rights activist from the Pinar del Río Province detained and intimidated by State Security

At about 8 am, on Wednesday 25 November 2020, a representative of the organization Independent and Democratic Cuba (CID), Arelis Rodríguez Silva, was taking her daughter to school. When they were almost there, they were approached by two State Security officials who told Rodríguez Silva to get off the car. She replied by asking for the reason as she was just taking her daughter to school. According to the officials, it was not an excuse and they put both of them to their patrol car. They were driven to the police unit in Alquízar and Rodríguez Silva was taken to one of the offices. Meanwhile, her daugther was driven to school. After that, Rodríguez Silva was interrogated by Colonel Abel and Lieutenant Denis, both from the State Security. The reason for the detention for her participation in distributing fliers saying #freedenislibertad in her community. The officials threatened her and said that if she continued supporting the activist Denis Solis and the movement San Isidro, she would end up worse than him. She was released at 6:30 pm and warned to avoid any similar activities otherwise she would be detained for longer time and could be put in jail for supporting enemy propaganda.