On Friday, activists dropped dozens of leaflets from the rooftop of the Pico Cristal building in the bustling center of Holguín, advocating for the release of all Cuban political prisoners. This event was shared by activist Ariel Góngora on his Facebook page, accompanied by images of the demonstration.
This initiative was carried out by the Free Commandos of Holguín (CLH) in partnership with MADL. The leaflets fluttered down onto Calixto García Park, the main public area of the city, from the building located at the intersection of Libertad and Martí streets, ensuring the action's high visibility in the historic center.
Góngora characterized the protest as urgent, urging people to share the images: "This morning, on October 16, 2026, in Holguín's city center at Calixto García Park, the CLH, in collaboration with MADL, released leaflets calling for freedom for all political prisoners."
History of Dissent in Holguín
This isn't the first time the CLH has orchestrated such actions in the province. On September 22, antigovernment graffiti emerged at Plaza de los Chinos and near Vladimir Ilich Lenin General University Hospital, featuring slogans like "Down with the PCC," "Freedom for the People," and "Canel is a Murderer."
In response, authorities covered up the graffiti with Cuban flags and deployed agents from the Technical Department of Investigations, along with canine units.
Human Rights Organizations Raise Concerns
The core demand of the leaflets — the release of political prisoners — highlights a grave situation, according to human rights organizations. Prisoners Defenders reported that out of 51 political prisoners the Cuban government promised to release, only 19 had been freed by October 14.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights recorded 344 repressive actions in September 2026, including 17 arbitrary detentions and 46 abuses against political prisoners, with incidents also reported in Holguín. From January to September of this year, the organization documented 3,051 repressive actions across the island.
Penalties for Protest in Cuba
Holguín has seen a recent surge in civic resistance. In June, residents of Guatemala, Mayarí, marched to a police station shouting "Freedom!", "Enough is enough!", "We want electricity!", and "We want water!" A year earlier, more than twenty graffiti messages reading "Homeland and Life" and "Freedom for the People" covered the wall of the Mayabe cemetery.
Distributing leaflets as a form of protest carries significant legal risks in Cuba. In February 2025, prosecutors sought six and seven-year prison sentences for two Cubans in Cienfuegos who distributed political leaflets, charging them with "propaganda against the constitutional order."
Key Questions About Political Protests in Cuba
What was the purpose of the leaflet drop in Holguín?
The leaflet drop aimed to demand the release of all Cuban political prisoners, highlighting human rights issues in the country.
Which organizations were involved in the Holguín protest?
The protest was organized by the Free Commandos of Holguín (CLH) in collaboration with MADL.
How have Cuban authorities responded to similar protests?
Cuban authorities typically respond by covering antigovernment messages with flags and deploying security forces, including canine units.