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The political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, who was unable to say goodbye to his mother, who recently passed away, wrote a heartbreaking letter regarding the death of his parent.
The text of the letter, dedicated to his mother ("Heart and brain of the home where I was born and raised"), was sent from La Pendiente prison in Santa Clara, and was published in full by the independent media 14ymedio. It is a cry of pain for such a profound loss.
I never valued her as she deserved, but even so, God was gracious enough to grant me the privilege of a mother who can only be described as the epitome of motherhood. What I am, that little bit of which I can be proud, I owe to the home where I was born and raised. And in that home, my mom was the heart and the brain, the arms, and even the lungs," the writer expressed.
In a remembrance of the figure of Zoila Esther Chávez, José Gabriel evokes the scent of his mother, her gentle arms, her mournful songs, her twisted eyes. His words convey sorrow but also nostalgia for the person who shaped him.
"Her smile, wide and gentle, with a touch of melancholy in the background; her honey-colored hair pulled up; her hands already worn from washing for the street and so much cleaning; her archaic idiomatic expressions, from a Cuban country folk," the activist continued.
Zoila declared, she endured "any amount of suffering": she saw one of her sons die and the other imprisoned, just months before losing her own life.
"The fault is mine. Because knowing the country in which I had to live, I committed the grave crime of joining my neighbors in the civic demand for electricity (...) I couldn't say goodbye to her, I couldn't ask her to forgive me and receive her blessing. I couldn't tell her how, after so many years of denying the truth, I have finally understood what is truly essential in the human world: its foundation is those who, amid suffering and joy, bring us into this world, our mothers," were the moving words of Barrenechea.
The mother suffered from cancer and required constant care. The imprisonment of Barrenechea, for protesting in the context of the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, left the elderly woman without the care she needed.
Having been separated from her for months, the Cuban political prisoner only had a brief moment to say goodbye after her passing. He was transferred from prison to bid farewell to Zoila, in the municipality of Encrucijada, Villa Clara province.
The event, under heavy surveillance, lasted less than an hour. Barrenechea was taken to the wake with no contact with the press or the chance for a dignified and private farewell.
Once the brief moment had ended, he was returned to his cell.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of José Gabriel Barrenechea and the situation in Cuba
Who is José Gabriel Barrenechea and why is he in prison?
José Gabriel Barrenechea is a Cuban independent writer and journalist who was arrested in November 2024 for participating in a peaceful protest amid the energy crisis in Cuba. His detention has been deemed arbitrary by human rights advocacy organizations, as his imprisonment has not followed due legal process.
What happened to José Gabriel Barrenechea's mother?
Zoila Esther Chávez, mother of José Gabriel Barrenechea, passed away without being able to say goodbye to her son. Her death occurred in a context of abandonment and lack of protection, as she was completely dependent on her son for care due to her critical health condition caused by cancer. The Cuban regime's refusal to allow Barrenechea to see her while she was alive has been widely condemned.
How has the international community reacted to the Barrenechea case?
The international community, including human rights organizations and the United States Embassy in Cuba, has expressed its sorrow and concern. They have demanded the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and all political prisoners in Cuba, condemning the repression and human rights violations on the island.
What impact has this case had on Cuban society and the exile community?
The case of José Gabriel Barrenechea and the death of his mother have sparked a wave of outrage and solidarity both within and outside of Cuba. Activists, human rights defenders, and the Cuban diaspora have raised their voices to denounce the repression of the regime. This case has become a symbol of the suffering and injustice that many Cuban families endure for political reasons.
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