Cuban YouTuber and activist Dina Stars has been arrested while carrying out a live interview on Spanish TV while criticising the government about the current economic crisis.
YouTube influencer Dina Stars was being interviewed by presenter Marta Flich on the Spanish show ‘Todo es Mentira’ (‘Everything is a Lie’) on the channel Cuatro when the police came to her home and took her away on 13th July.
According to reports, the YouTuber, who has been outspoken over the government’s handling of the economic crisis, appeared concerned in the video and said: “Security forces are outside. I have to go.”
She asked friend Miloh to take over the interview and describe to the viewers what was happening.
Flich told her friend Stars: “Don’t put yourself in danger.”
Stars said a short while later: “They are taking me away.”
From Spain, Flich reported: “We are seeing live how a security team came to our contact in Cuba and are talking to her. We do not know what will happen next.”
Stars’ friend Miloh, who witnessed the arrest, said on air: “I came to her house so that she would not be alone. We knew this could happen. We are very afraid. Please let the entire international press know what is happening.”
Dina Stars said: “I hold the government responsible for anything that happens to me. They are forcing me to go with them.”
During the interview on Spanish TV, the Cuban activist was appealing for international help amid the economic crisis, adding “we have not believed in any regime in Cuba for a long time” and “the Cuban president (Miguel Diaz-Canel) does not represent us”, and “they are killing people here”.
Earlier the same day, she had been interviewed by the Spanish channel Antena 3 during a protest in Cuba over the economic crisis when she was also critical of President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s government.
There have been no further updates on the influencer’s arrest.
