US & Panama Detain Activists From Cuba Aid Convoy, Report Intimidation
Panamanian authorities detained Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila at Tocumen International Airport on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, following a solidarity mission to Cuba, according to reports from his communications team and international news outlets. The detention is part of a broader pattern of reported harassment targeting members of the “Nuestra América” Convoy, a group that recently delivered 14 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba.
Ávila, coordinator of the Nossa América convoy, was reportedly intercepted by English-speaking agents while in transit back to Brazil. His team stated he was subjected to questioning and biometric procedures before being held incommunicado. He had previously declared the mission to Cuba as “an act of historical retribution” towards a nation he described as “the most supportive people on the planet.”
The Front for National Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso) in Panama condemned the arrest as a politically motivated act, alleging that Panamanian authorities are acting under direction from Washington. Jorge Guzmán, a coordinator for Frenadeso, linked the incident to discussions held at the recent “Shield of the Americas” forum, suggesting a coordinated effort to suppress solidarity with Cuba.
Simultaneously, members of the Convoy arriving in Miami, Florida, are reporting extensive questioning and confiscation of electronic devices by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Christian Smalls, a labor leader with Amazon, and journalist Katie Halper are among those reportedly detained. Gerard Dalbon, a member of the convoy, documented the situation on social media, stating that several individuals were stopped on Monday, including human rights lawyer Noura Erakat.
The reported detentions follow a pattern of increased U.S. Pressure on Cuba, including a tightening of the decades-long economic embargo and, more recently, a renewed focus on restricting energy supplies to the island. The Nuestra América Convoy, inspired by the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla that aimed to deliver aid to Gaza, sought to mitigate the impact of these policies by providing panels, medicine, and food.
Ávila’s detention echoes a previous incident in 2025, when he was deported by Israel while attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. He was reportedly planning to participate in another humanitarian maritime mission to the Palestinian enclave.
Neither Panamanian authorities nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection have issued official statements regarding the reported detentions as of . Social movements are denouncing the actions as violations of the right to freedom of movement and international solidarity. The timing of these events, coinciding with the return of the aid convoy, raises concerns about a deliberate attempt to intimidate and discourage future support for Cuba.
The Nuestra América Convoy’s mission to Cuba aimed to address the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing the island, exacerbated by the U.S. Embargo. The delivery of aid, while acknowledged as a modest contribution, symbolized a broader effort to challenge U.S. Policy and demonstrate international support for the Cuban people. The reported actions by U.S. And Panamanian authorities suggest a heightened sensitivity to such displays of solidarity.
The detentions in Panama and the U.S. Are likely to draw criticism from governments and organizations that oppose the U.S. Embargo on Cuba and advocate for greater regional cooperation. The incidents also highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in Latin America, where countries are increasingly asserting their independence from U.S. Influence.
The lack of official comment from both the Panamanian and U.S. Governments adds to the concerns surrounding the detentions. Without transparency and accountability, the incidents risk further damaging relations with countries in the region and undermining efforts to promote constructive dialogue.