Esteban Rodríguez: I saw young people from 11J intimidated in the Combinado del Este prison

The Cuban activist and former political prisoner,Esteban Rodriguez, recounted prison scenes in which the regime's repressors exercised physical and psychological violence on young protestors.the historic 11J protests in Cuba.

In a live broadcast on his social networks carried out this Saturday, the activist presented a plea in favor of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba and called for the unity of Cuban civil society to support them and their families.

“Political prisoners deserve that we continue fighting for them and that we unite,” said Rodríguez, recognizing how difficult it is to stay physically and emotionally strong when you are a prisoner of conscience of the Cuban regime.

Rodríguez shared some of his memories of his days in prison to illustrate the mechanisms used by State Security to undermine the morale of political prisoners. In that sense, he recounted the manipulation to which the young people of 11J are subjected, known as“Operation dignity”.

With pressure, threats and lies, the prison guards forced them to say revolutionary slogans and rehearse speeches of repentance to say during their statements on the day they were brought before the courts.“I saw young people from 11-J being intimidated in the Combinado del Este prison”said the activist.

“I begged them not to do that, because it is not wrong to protest against a dictatorship. You don't have to repent, that is an act that can later be used against you during the trial or in the review of your case by human rights organizations. There is no trust in the regime; They only seek to break your will and annihilate your self-esteem. “I have been a victim of these practices,” he stated.

As part of this psychological torture, “State Security comes and tells you that you have already passed into oblivion, they treat you as irrelevant, they try to convince you that you no longer exist on the networks. 'They used you and threw you away,' they tell you," he revealed.the activist that the regime banished along with the journalist and friend of his, Héctor Luis Valdés Cocho, after releasing him at the beginning of January.

However, the so-called “Operation Dignity” includes other more violent techniques. “Political prisoners who have no visibility are mistreated and beaten,” Rodríguez denounced in his direct address.

Rodríguez brought up the case of a gay activist who ran a YouTube blog“The Georgia Alligator” and that he is now in the Combinado suffering the humiliation of his jailers, who force him to undress and walk among the other inmates, among other "atrocities." As a result, the young man has cut his wrists several times inside the prison.

“It is very important to support these families,” he insisted, highlighting the independence that political prisoners acquire from the regime's jailers and the strength they gain when they and their families are supported and helped by civil society, accompanying them so that they do not sit alone.

“The situation is very difficult in Cuba. A prisoner's bag can cost more than 10 thousand pesos. Our priority now must be to support those people, those who came out to protest on 11J, those who continue to come out to confront the regime and their families,” he concluded.

After thanking all the activists mobilized for that cause for their efforts, Rodríguez stated that he will dedicate himself to it now that he is out of prison. “From the outside I will continue fighting for them. "I am now one of the Cubans expelled by the regime, separated from their families, but I will continue fighting for change," he assured.

“I had the bitter experience of being a political prisoner on the island. That is why I send a message of encouragement and a hug to all political prisoners; To my brothersLuis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Osorbo, Lazarus Yuri Valley Rock… a Luis Robles, whom I had the honor of meeting at the Combine, along withThe Cuban Cat [youtuber Yoandi Montiel] and the young people ofMovement 18 of Alamar”, he recounted.

“I couldn't leave on June 11 because I was in prison, but I lived that day from prison. I also lived in prisonthe events of 15N. Now I am on this side and I will continue my fight for his liberation; for giving them encouragement and strength,” he concluded.

A few days after his forced exile, the activist reported thatPolitical prisoners suffer acts of repudiation in the Combinado del Este by other Cuban prisoners, who - in exchange - receive telephone calls to their loved ones.

He also warned that the political prisoners in the Combinado del Este are not safe because they are victims of psychological and physical torture, such as blows to the ribs and threats of taking away family visits.