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The parents of political prisoner Andy García Lorenzo, who was arrested on July 11, staged a protest in front of the Guamajal prison in Santa Clara this Wednesday to demand information about their son, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 14 days in protest against the violation of his rights.
"Since early today, my parents have been outside the Guamajal men's prison seeking information about my brother Andy on his 14th day of hunger strike," reported the political prisoner's sister, Roxana García Lorenzo, on Facebook.
The young woman reported that her parents have been under surveillance by State Security (SE) for several days and held that repressive body of the Cuban regime responsible for any harm they may suffer.
"We will keep our eyes open for any news about my brother, who by this date must be in very poor health," Roxana stated, expressing in recent days her concern for her family member's condition and demanding that the authorities return to García the personal letters that were confiscated and led to the start of the protest.
“Remember that no one can stand against God and His children. You may believe you are immune now, but this will not last forever… think it over,” Roxana warned the oppressors.
On December 10th, International Human Rights Day, the State Security kept the parents under surveillance, a fact that the mother, Tairy Lorenzo Prado, reported on her social media and to the independent newspaper CubaNet.
“They will not silence us,” she emphasized on her Facebook profile, determined to continue demanding respect for her son's rights, starting with the return of the documents that were confiscated by prison officials.
Addressing the State Security, the mother demanded a few days ago: “I want my son Andy Dunier García Lorenzo alive, read carefully, aliive!”
In a video released by CubaNet, Lorenzo reiterated his denunciation of human rights violations in Cuba, specifically regarding his son, a peaceful protester from July 11, 2021. The woman revealed that by Tuesday, the 13th day of García's hunger strike, he had still not received a blood test, nor had the documents that were taken from him been returned.
"We hold State Security responsible for Andy's physical health, for his emotional well-being, and for his physical integrity. We are holding the mechanisms of State Security accountable for anything that may happen to Andy or to me, to his father, or to any family member," Lorenzo warned.
"The world needs to know that human rights are being violated in Cuba," he declared. "We are demanding their rights, we are demanding their letters, we are demanding life-saving medical attention. Minutes go by, hours go by, days go by, and every minute counts for the life of my son."
“They are pushing him to the limit, and they are pushing the family to the limit. What do you think? What do you believe? That I’m going to stay silent? I am not going to stay silent!” she asserted. “Neighbors have told me that State Security is everywhere. I am not afraid. I am simply standing up for my son's rights and I will continue to do so until my last day. (…) Andy does not deserve to be in prison; the ones who deserve to be in prison are you—those of you who are killing the people, pushing them to the brink. Freedom for Andy. We will not be silenced.”
Andy García Lorenzo was sentenced by the regime to four years of imprisonment for participating in the historic protests on July 11, 2021, in Santa Clara, Villa Clara. He has about seven months left to serve his sentence.
During more than three years of incarceration, the young man has been subjected to systematic violations of his human rights, and he has also been denied parole and sentence reduction.
At the end of 2022, her sister reported that García was being subjected to psychological torture, physical abuse, and mistreatment at the work camp where he was held.
During a visit to the prison a few weeks ago, his mother found him “extremely thin, with sunken eyes and difficulty breathing.” Concerned about her son’s fragile condition, Lorenzo revealed that “Andy could barely speak; he had to do it very slowly because he no longer had the strength.”
The family fears for their life and has recalled that during a previous hunger strike, he was beaten and subjected to inhumane treatment by the prison guards.
The repression by the Cuban regime against the protesters of July 11 and 12, 2021 (11J) has not only resulted in mass incarcerations but also a tragic outcome that includes the deaths of at least four political prisoners in custody.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andy García's Situation and Political Prisoners in Cuba
Why are Andy García's parents standing in front of the prison?
Andy García's parents are outside the Guamajal prison demanding information about their son, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days. The protest is a reaction to the violation of his rights and the confiscation of his personal letters by the Cuban State Security.
What does Andy García demand with his hunger strike?
Andy García is demanding the return of personal letters confiscated by prison authorities. His hunger strike is an act of protest against the violation of his human rights within Cuban prisons.
What is Andy García's current health status?
Andy García's health is critical. He is "extremely thin, with sunken eyes and difficulty breathing," his mother said following a visit before he began his hunger strike. His family has expressed concern for his life, especially due to his strike and the inhumane treatment he has received in prison.
What is the reaction of the international community to the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community has condemned human rights violations in Cuba, particularly through human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch. There is a call to exert pressure on the Cuban regime to ensure the safety and freedom of political prisoners.
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