Protests in Cuba: July 11, the day some said "enough" 0:20
(CNN) -
The Biden government sanctioned eight Cuban officials for trying to silence Cubans who participated in protests against the government last summer, Secretary of State Tony Blinken announced Thursday.
“Due to the harsh and unjust sentences imposed on peaceful protesters, the State Department today took steps to impose visa restrictions on eight Cuban officials implicated in attempts to silence the voices of the Cuban people through repression, unjust detentions and harsh prison sentences. "Blinken said.
Anti-government protests in Cuba last year resulted in widespread arbitrary arrests.
There were also more than 130 cases in which security forces violated due process, beat, sexually abused or forced protesters into solitary confinement, according to Human Rights Watch.
“These eight individuals include Cuban officials related to the arrest, sentencing and incarceration of peaceful protesters on July 11.
The United States took steps to enforce visa restrictions in response to the Cuban government's attempts to deny Cubans their freedom and rights through ongoing intimidation tactics, unjust imprisonment, and severe sentences, ”Blinken said.
Blinken said the United States will continue to push for the release of hundreds of political prisoners.
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"Approximately 600 protesters across the island remain in jail after the July 11 protests, some with worsening health conditions and no access to food, medicine or calls to their loved ones," Blinken said.
"The United States continues to use all appropriate diplomatic and economic tools to advance the release of political prisoners and support the Cuban people's call for greater freedom and responsibility."
Protests in Cuba
