Courthouse Square

510 King Street, Suite 340

Alexandria, Virginia 22314
P 703.566.3041
@GLALegalDefense

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Cara Di Silvio
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 (703) 566-3037

Free Yorubas Unlawfully Detained, Imprisoned Following

Peaceful Protests
GLA Concerned for Safety and Wellbeing

Alexandria, Virginia - On July 19, 2021, the District Attorney of Placetas, Villa Clara,
charged three members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba, along with nine other
individuals, with public disorder, disobedience, spreading the epidemic, and incitement.
All charges were a direct result of participation in protests on July 11, 2021. The Free
Yorubas charged, Loreto Hernandez Garcia, Donaida Perez Paseiro and Elizabeth Cintra
Garcia, will be held in a provisional prison as a precautionary measure until a trial is held.
These provisional prisons allegedly conduct re-education programs for political prisoners.
Other members of the Free Yorubas Association have also been unlawfully detained
in relation to the July 11, protests:
• Twin sisters Lisdiany Rodriguez Isak and Lisdany Rodriguez Isak, 22 years of age,
were picked up after the protests as a part of the government round up and are still
in the holding process. They are reportedly being held at a police station in Placetas.
• Dayron Dadi Larrondo, 18 years old, is being held in a police station in Placetas and
is in the process of being transferred to a men’s prison where he will reportedly be
sent to the “Zonas Especiales,” where alleged re-education programs are conducted.
A GLA legal expert in Cuba expressed concern for the demonstrators, specifically
the Free Yorubas, and fears excessive sentencing and punishment as the government cracks
down on peaceful protestors, stating, "They are going to show anyone who participated in
the protests no mercy, to teach everyone a lesson. They’ll serve as an example so that this
never happens again. Hopefully they are not so harsh with the Yorubas.”
The Global Liberty Alliance will continue to monitor the situation and provide
support in defense of the Free Yorubas Association of Cuba, and all suffering from religious
persecution and violations against their fundamental rights.
###

A part of The Global Rule of Law & Liberty Legal Defense Fund
globallibertyalliance.org
1