José Ramírez Pantoja is a journalist. He was detained in 2019 in California when he entered the United States through the border, after being expelled from a radio station in Holguín for revealing a conversation with the deputy director of the official newspaper Granma, who commented that Cuba could not withstand further protests without Fidel Castro like the Maleconazo of '94.
This Monday, in Chicago, Ramírez Pantoja attended the diploma ceremony that recognizes him as a United States citizen. "Thanks to those at UPEC who let me go. Without them, this wouldn't have been possible," he stated.
"I am excited. There are people who have come to this country and everything has been easy for them. They walk through the wide door without any problems. I spent seven months in prison, he stated in an interview with CiberCuba shortly after the recognition of his American nationality."
In the conversation with this platform, the journalist took the opportunity to thank the "beautiful people" who participated in the crowdfunding that helped him get out of prison. Those contributions funded the legal services that allowed him to leave the California jail where he was held upon his arrival in the United States. He also thanked all the friends who supported him and never left him alone.
"After all this, stumbling from 2019 to now. I believe it's a great achievement. Reaching this point is already another level," she commented, her voice choked with emotion, especially as she recalled, amid the happiness of this moment, her late parents, and after acknowledging that American citizenship is "a special ticket to freedom." She made this statement in reference to the current intense immigration climate in the United States.
Ramírez Pantoja also recalled bitter situations, such as when a close person to him and his family was forced to hand over the letter of expulsion from the radio station where he worked in Holguín. It was a painful moment that he believes he has overcome. Moreover, he assures that he has forgiven this person and advocates that this is the attitude needed to rebuild the Cuban nation. It is, he insists, a guarantee for a future democratic transition.
He also spoke about the only viable solution he sees to the extreme situation on the Island. In his view, without a collective and massive protest, there will be no change in Cuba.
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