The Cuban Angélica Garrido, one of the former political prisoners from the protests of July 11, arrived this week in Miami from Madrid to participate in the presentation of the book Voz Cautiva, written by her sister, the also political prisoner María Cristina Garrido, who is still imprisoned on the island.
Garrido was warmly welcomed at Miami Airport, where she stated that she always knew her sister would not be among the releases granted by the regime in recent weeks.
The presentation of the poetry collection, organized by the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile, was part of the activities for Women's History Month and aimed to highlight the situation of Cuban political prisoners.
During the event held on March 22 in the city of Miami, Angélica Garrido received on behalf of her sister the distinction made to María Cristina Garrido as "honorary member of the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile."
Captive Voice is a book of poems that María Cristina Garrido wrote from prison while serving a seven-year sentence.
Two sisters, one shared destiny
Both María Cristina and Angélica Garrido were arrested on July 12, 2021, one day after the historic protests that shook the island. Both took part in the demonstrations in the town of Quivicán, in the province of Mayabeque.
While María Cristina remains incarcerated, her sister Angélica was released in July 2024, after fully serving a three-year prison sentence.
Since her release, Angélica has publicly denounced the torture and cruel treatment she suffered during her imprisonment, as well as the abuses to which her sister continues to be subjected.
Additionally, she has criticized the recent process of releases initiated by the Cuban regime and mediated by the Vatican, which she described as "questionable and restricted," and stated that neither she nor her sister have "anything to thank" international mediation for.
Context of the releases and international pressure
The Cuban regime, under international pressure, recently released 553 political prisoners, although it excluded prominent figures such as María Cristina Garrido from the process.
The activist and writer is, along with other prisoners, a symbol of the repression that continues on the island against dissent.
In that context, Mike Hammer, Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, recently requested the immediate release of María Cristina Garrido and fellow political prisoner Lizandra Góngora, reaffirming the U.S. government's stance in favor of human rights in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Angélica Garrido and Releases in Cuba
Who is Angélica Garrido and why was she imprisoned?
Angélica Garrido is a former political prisoner from Cuba who was arrested after participating in the protests of July 11, 2021 (11J) in Quivicán, Cuba. She was sentenced to three years in prison by the Cuban regime, accused of public disorder and sedition. During her imprisonment, she reported suffering torture and mistreatment. Her sister, María Cristina Garrido, was also arrested and remains in prison serving a seven-year sentence.
What is the book "Voz Cautiva" and what is its relevance?
"Cautive Voice" is a book of poems written by María Cristina Garrido, sister of Angélica Garrido, while she is imprisoned in Cuba. The book was presented in Miami as part of the activities for Women's History Month, aimed at raising awareness of the situation of Cuban political prisoners. During the event, María Cristina was recognized as an honorary member of the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile.
What has been the international response to the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community has condemned human rights violations in Cuba, with organizations like Human Rights Watch and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba denouncing abuses against political prisoners. Recently, the head of the U.S. Embassy, Mike Hammer, called for the release of political prisoners such as María Cristina Garrido, supporting the fight for human rights on the island.
What criticisms has Angélica Garrido made about the recent releases from prison in Cuba?
Angélica Garrido has criticized the recent releases promoted by the Cuban regime, calling them "questionable and restricted." She stated that neither she nor her sister has "anything to be thankful for" regarding international mediation, as prominent figures like her sister María Cristina were not included in the release process.
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