Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Cuba

Ethnic Group: Yoruba

Religion or Belief: Santería

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: July/15/2021

Date of Release: August/31/2021

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Elizabeth Cintra García

Extra Bio Info:

Elizabeth Cintra García was imprisoned in relation to her religious identity and activity.

On July 15, 2021, authorities detained García, a member of the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba (Asociación de Yorubas Libres de Cuba, or “Free Yorubas”), an independent Santería community, after voluntarily showing up to a meeting with State Security officers following her peaceful participation in protests on July 11, 2021.

On July 19, 2021, García was moved to Guamajal Prison. 

On July 24, 2021, García was placed under house arrest pending trial.

On August 31, 2021, García's house arrest was lifted after she paid a 3,000 peso fine.

Related Cases: Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Loreto Hernández García, Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Current Location: Provincial Prison, Santa Clara

Perpetrator: Cuba

Ethnic Group: Yoruba

Religion or Belief: Santería

Health Concerns: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension, High Blood Pressure, Other Cardiac Issues

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/15/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Assault & Battery Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Loreto Hernández García

Extra Bio Info:

Loreto Hernández García is imprisoned for his religious leadership.

On July 16, 2021, Cuban authorities arrested Paseiro, the president of the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba, an independent Santería community frequently targeted by the government. The arrest came days after his participation in a peaceful human rights protest.

In February 2022, the Popular Municipal Court of Santa Clara sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment for “public disorder” and “contempt.”

During detention, prison guards tried to force García to renounce his faith. They also physically harmed him, punished him with solitary confinement, and denied him medical care for his diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

García is married with two children. His wife, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, is also in prison for her participation in the July 11 protests. Prior to this case, García and his wife were harassed repeatedly by authorities due to their religious leadership.

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Female

Current Location: Guamajal prison in Villa Clara

Perpetrator: Cuba

Ethnic Group: Yoruba

Religion or Belief: Santería

Health Concerns: Hypertension, diabetes, contracted COVID-19

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/16/2021

Date of Release: January/15/2025

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Assault & Battery Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Donaida Pérez Paseiro

Extra Bio Info:

Donaida Pérez Paseiro is imprisoned for her religious leadership.

On July 16, 2021, Cuban authorities arrested Paseiro, the president of the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba, an independent Santería community frequently targeted by the government. The arrest came days after her participation in a peaceful human rights protest. 

In February 2022, the Santa Clara Municipal People’s Court sentenced her to eight years' imprisonment for “public disorder”, “contempt,” and “attacking” an official.

On January 15, 2025, Paseiro was released from prison, but authorities rearrested her in June for allegedly violating the conditions of her release. 

During detention, prison authorities tried to force her to renounce her faith. Paseiro is married with two children, and her husband, Loreto Hernández García, is also imprisoned for participating in the July 11 protests. Prior to this case, authorities arrested Paseiro in February and September of 2020, and injured her face and chest.

Publicly Available Information:
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