Cuba targets opposition ahead of vote

As Cuba prepares for a final vote on proposed changes to its constitution, state security agents have cracked down on activists by carrying out multiple arrests and raiding the homes of those who have called for a ‘‘no’’ vote.

Security forces on Tuesday detained about 20 members of the Cuban Patriotic Union opposition group, including its leader, Jose Daniel Ferrer.

‘‘They punched me in the stomach, took me outside with handcuffs put on really tight, shoved me around and hit me on the head a couple of times,’’ Ferrer said. ‘‘They told me clearly that it was a response to the campaign against the constitution’’

He added that since there was no guarantee of the integrity of the vote, ‘‘I started a hunger strike’’.

The new constitution was drafted by a commission appointed by former ruler Raul Castro, who is still first secretary of the ruling Communist Party. The text has been approved by the National Assembly and will be submitted to a referendum for a final vote on February 24.

The proposed constitution changes some of the structures of government and recognises private property, but retains the supremacy of the Communist Party and socialist central economic planning.

A section that would have recognised gay marriage was eliminated because of fears of losing ‘‘yes’’ votes from Catholics who had voiced their opposition.

Government propaganda in favour of a ‘‘yes’’ vote has dominated official media for many weeks. Activists, dissidents, independent journalists and citizens have turned to social media to challenge the government’s campaign.

The opposition is split between activists calling for voting ‘‘no’’ and others who call for boycotting the referendum, saying that voting amounts to legitimising the government and giving it the chance to alter the results.

Cuban users on Twitter have also criticised the government’s suppression tactics to block the votes of Cubans who live abroad but remain official island residents and can therefore vote in the referendum.