The case of the 10 Panamanians detained in Cuba has generated concern in Panama, while relatives and various sectors await diplomatic efforts to clarify their legal situation and achieve their release. Panamanian Yahir Ortiz, a member of the opposition movement Camino a la Democracia Pacífica de Cuba, denounced pressure and abuses by Cuban authorities following the events involving the group of Panamanians who recently traveled to the island. Ortiz, who managed to leave Cuba before the detention of 10 Panamanians on February 28, recounted in statements to Martí Noticias that during his stay in the country he was detained by authorities and subjected to interrogations. "I was detained for more than 10 hours in Matanzas, and they accuse you and practically force you to incriminate yourself," he stated. The young man explained that the group was originally made up of 20 Panamanians, members of the organization Camino a la Democracia Pacífica, who traveled to the island with the intention of carrying out humanitarian work. According to his account, the group organized into three teams to distribute assistance in needy communities. "We were from six in the morning distributing food to more than 50 families, but we had already run out of food for the children," he indicated. Ortiz specified that the aid consisted of food, dry goods, and food bags for vulnerable families. According to his testimony, 10 Panamanians managed to leave Cuba, including Jairo Ortiz, while the other 10 remain detained, accused of alleged propaganda against the constitutional order. Cubans would also have been arrested Ortiz also revealed that the case involves not only Panamanian citizens, as at least four Cubans would also have been detained by the island's authorities for allegedly collaborating with the group. "All of Panama is waiting for the ten Panamanians who are there, but there are also Cubans in prison who gave us a friendly hand, giving us directions or lending a car because we were doing a charitable work," he stated. According to his explanation, these individuals would have been arrested solely for providing logistical support to the group during their stay in Cuba. Accusations of graffiti Cuban authorities also point to the Panamanians for the alleged creation of graffiti in Havana, accusations that Ortiz considers exaggerated. "They are accusing them of vandalism and terrorism, but the messages were not placed on embassies or historical sites. They were on destroyed walls or walls that were already graffitied," he noted. The Panamanian assured that the objective of the action was to send a message of solidarity to the Cuban people. "We did not go to destroy Cuba. We went to send a message to the Cuban people that they are not alone and that there is hope for change," he concluded.
