Video shows Cuban protester being shot by police in front of his family
The man’s wife and young children were at home during the raid
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man has been beaten and shot in front of his wife and children by Cuban government forces, according to video circulating on social media.
A video apparently recording the violence is circulating on social media, showing a raid on the home in Cárdenas, east of Havana. According to The Miami Herald, Marbely Vásquez said security officers broke into her home on Tuesday morning and shot her husband, Daniel Cárdenas Díaz, 34.
The footage shows her shouting “My children are here, my children, my children, my children” as officers break down a door.
Armed special forces agents and a dog force their way into the home, and moments later, the clip shows a pool of blood on the floor of the living room of the house. The shooting is not recorded.
Ms Vásquez said her husband was beaten and shot at least once. Then, she said, “[the agents] entered my bedroom when I was with my children.”
She has two-year-old twins and a 12-year-old boy, according to The Miami Herald.
Mr Cárdenas was taken to Santa Marta police station in Varadero, where his cousin Orlando León says he is being held incommunicado.
A Cuban news report on Wednesday evening cast doubt on the depiction of events on the video, and accused Mr Cárdenas of breaking into a government store. It showed him on camera being interrogated by police.
Ms Vásquez says Mr Cárdenas had been at the anti-government demonstrations at the weekend that took place across Cuba, and was adamant: “He didn’t hurt anyone or do anything.”
Other videos showing police brutality against demonstrators have been shared this week, after Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel had called for “any means necessary” to be used against protesters.
Information from the island has been limited as Cuban authorities have restricted access to social media and messaging platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp following the protests.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments