Zoila Esther Chávez, the mother of political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, passed away this Sunday without being able to say goodbye to her son, as confirmed by activists on social media.
The 84-year-old woman had lost her ability to speak and showed weak breathing. Her body did not withstand it.
Yania Suárez, the journalist José Raúl Gallego, and other activists communicated the tragedy on social media, while denouncing that the regime prevented José Gabriel Barrenechea from saying goodbye to her.
"He could not see his son. May the pain of this mother weigh on the conscience of the corrupt who oppress the people of Cuba," Suárez expressed.
Yamilka Lafita, the activist known on social media as Lara Crofs, denounced the cruelty of the regime in this case and said: "Zoila has passed away without seeing her son, we have once again witnessed how cruel this regime can be. Neither forgiveness nor forgetfulness. Rest in peace, Zoila; may the earth be light upon you."
The poet and family friend Otilio Carvajal had informed days earlier that the woman's condition was critical.
Barrenechea, an independent writer and journalist, was arrested in November 2024 for exercising his right to protest in the context of the energy crisis facing Cuba.
His imprisonment, deemed arbitrary by human rights advocacy groups, left his mother without proper care, who was suffering from cancer and required constant attention.
In mid-April, Zoila, very ill and alone, sent a heartbreaking message for the release of her son. “Sometimes I feel so bad, I close the door because I'm afraid, 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 spend at least a month with my son; what I long for the most is to see him walk through that door,” the woman confessed through tears.
Organizations of Cuban civil society demanded the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and the protection of his mother, but the regime ignored their call.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of José Gabriel Barrenechea and his mother
Why was José Gabriel Barrenechea arrested?
José Gabriel Barrenechea was arrested for participating in a peaceful protest against blackouts in Cuba in November 2024. His detention has been deemed arbitrary by human rights organizations, who assert that his imprisonment constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights.
What was Zoila Esther Chávez's health condition before her passing?
Zoila Esther Chávez, mother of José Gabriel Barrenechea, was in critical condition due to metastatic cancer and had lost her ability to speak days before her death. Her health deteriorated even more after the imprisonment of her son, who was her only caregiver. Despite requests for Barrenechea to say goodbye to his mother, the Cuban regime did not allow it.
What actions have human rights organizations taken regarding the Barrenechea case?
Several organizations, including Cuido60 and Cubalex, have demanded the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and expressed their concern for his mother’s situation. These entities have urged the Cuban authorities to act in accordance with humanitarian principles and ensure the right to receive adequate care, especially for vulnerable elderly individuals.
How has the international community reacted to the situation of José Gabriel Barrenechea and his mother?
The international community has expressed its concern over the repression in Cuba and has called for an end to arbitrary detentions. Human rights organizations have urged the implementation of sanctions and concrete measures against the Cuban government to address these human rights violations and improve the conditions of detainees, such as Barrenechea.
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