Zoila, an 84-year-old woman who is very ill and alone, sent a heartbreaking message calling for the release of her son, the Cuban writer José Gabriel Barrenechea, who has been imprisoned since November after participating in a peaceful protest that took place in Villa Clara.
"Sometimes I feel bad, I close the door because I am scared, I lie down and ask God and the Virgin to help me and let me see the dawn, because all I want is, before I die, to at least spend a month with my son; what I yearn for the most is to see him walk through that door," the woman confessed in tears in a video published by the independent media Cubanet.
José Gabriel, accused of the alleged crime of "public disorder," is his only living son and close relative.
Since the death of her husband, with whom she shared more than 65 years of life, and the loss of her eldest son at the age of 36, Zoila has been completely alone, relying on the care of José Gabriel, who fed her, kept her company at night, and provided her with constant assistance.
"He slept with me, never leaving me alone. He would feed me, ensuring I had everything I needed because he knows I am ill," she says with a trembling voice.
Her already fragile health has deteriorated even further following the detention of her son on November 8 during the protests against blackouts in Encrucijada, and she claims to live in constant anguish, fearing for her life.
The protests on November 8, like many others recently in the country, arose in response to the ongoing blackouts and the challenging economic situation.
In these incidents, residents from various localities peacefully took to the streets, demanding improvements and respect. However, the state response was repression and the criminalization of the right to protest.
Barrenechea, an intellectual known in the cultural sphere and an activist for critical thought, is awaiting trial.
"I am dying of sadness. I just want to hug him, to have him here, even if it's just for a month. It's all I ask of life," she states, and she requests the support of someone who can help her reach the prison where the writer is detained to advocate for his release.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of José Gabriel Barrenechea
Why was José Gabriel Barrenechea arrested?
José Gabriel Barrenechea was detained for participating in a peaceful protest in Villa Clara during a blackout. He was charged with "public disorder," a charge commonly used by the Cuban regime to silence dissenting voices that criticize the economic and social situation of the country.
What is the current situation of José Gabriel Barrenechea's mother?
Zoila, the mother of José Gabriel, is in a critical health and emotional situation. Since her son's arrest, she has been living alone and in constant distress, wishing she could see him again. Her health has deteriorated due to the lack of emotional and physical support her son used to provide.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests over power outages?
The Cuban government has responded with repression and detentions to the peaceful protests against blackouts. Many protesters have been arrested on charges of public disorder, assault, and incitement to crime, despite the fact that the protests have mostly been peaceful.
What impact does José Gabriel's arrest have on his family?
The arrest of José Gabriel Barrenechea has left his mother, Zoila, in an extremely vulnerable situation. She relied entirely on her son for her daily care and her health has been severely impacted by the absence of her only close relative.
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