Related videos:
The Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás expressed his outrage following the death of Zoila Esther Chávez Pérez, the mother of the political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, who passed away without being able to say goodbye to her son due to the Cuban regime's refusal to allow her a final visit.
Ugás, known for his activism in favor of human rights in Cuba, shared a message on his social media condemning the Cuban authorities for this unjust and painful situation.
"The regime once again shows its cruelty by preventing a mother from seeing her son one last time. There is no justification for such inflicted pain," Ugás wrote on his X account. The boxer has been a constant voice in denouncing human rights violations on the island and has harshly criticized the Cuban government for its repression of dissenters.
The death of Zoila Esther Chávez has sparked a wave of solidarity and protests among activists and human rights defenders, who are demanding the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and all political prisoners in Cuba.
Organizations such as Cubalex and Justicia 11J have reported on the situation and have urged the international community to pressure the Cuban regime to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Recently, Ugás also criticized the May Day marches in Cuba, labeling the attendees as "accomplices of the regime" and condemning the forced mobilization of millions of Cubans amid the profound crisis the country is experiencing.
"It's so sad to see our people going out to celebrate and support the yoke that oppresses them," expressed the athlete, who resides in the United States and has been a constant critic of the Cuban government.
The situation of human rights in Cuba continues to be a cause of concern for the international community, and cases such as that of Zoila Esther Chávez and her son José Gabriel highlight the need for urgent and sustained attention to repression and violations of fundamental rights on the island.
With drones in the air and absent leaders, Díaz-Canel aligns himself with Putin
The visit of Miguel Díaz-Canel to Russia takes place in a context of high tension in Moscow, where authorities have heightened security measures due to the possibility of Ukrainian drone attacks during the Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, warned that Russia has reasons to be concerned, suggesting that actions could occur during the parade in Red Square, according to a report from La Sexta.
These concerns have led some international leaders to cancel their attendance at the event. Among them, El País cited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who declined the invitation from Vladimir Putin to participate in the commemorations.
The absence of these leaders highlights Russia's growing isolation on the international stage and emphasizes the tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine. In contrast, Díaz-Canel's presence in Moscow strengthens the alliance between Cuba and Russia at a time when both countries are facing sanctions and criticism from the international community.
In this context, Ugás's statements took on special significance, reflecting the indignation of many Cubans regarding the human rights situation on the island, and the perception of disconnection between those in power and the realities of the people.
Filed under: