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The United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, publicly honored the young Cuban political prisoner Duannis Dabel León Taboada and his mother, Jenni Taboada, for their bravery in the face of repression by the Cuban regime.
"I honor the brave Cubans like Duannis and Jenni, who risk everything to raise their voices in defense of human rights in their country,” wrote the diplomat on his official X account, after participating in a virtual meeting with Cuban citizens convened at the U.S. Embassy in Havana on July 8th.
During the meeting, in which Jenni Taboada also participated, Landau, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, listened to the heartbreaking testimony of this Cuban mother, whose son is incarcerated in Combinado del Este, where he is serving a 14-year sentence for participating in the peaceful protests of July 11, 2021.
Duannis, just 24 years old, was arrested for allegedly causing damage to a police patrol during the protests. The Prosecutor's Office initially sought a 21-year sentence for sedition, which was later reduced to 14 years following appeals, although his family has insisted on his innocence and denounced inhumane conditions of confinement.
Shortly after the meeting with Landau, Duannis was taken from his cell and subjected to seven interrogations in a single day. In response, the young man decided to start a hunger strike as a form of protest. Jenni, desperate, was prevented from seeing him or obtaining clear information about his condition. “They are holding him hostage,” she cried in several audio recordings that circulated on social media and in the news.
Organizations such as the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) and the group Las Taniadas warned of the serious risk to the young man's life due to preexisting medical conditions. His mother stood in front of the prison demanding to see him and pleading to be allowed to try to save her son. For days, she received no response.
“My little boy is good. They don't let me do anything. I just want to see him,” the mother said. The case mobilized activists, exiles, and media outlets, who turned her voice into a symbol of the pain and resistance of many Cuban families.
"Duannis will live"
After 12 days of fasting and in critical condition, Duannis was finally visited by his mother and ended the hunger strike. The scene of their reunion was heart-wrenching, according to her.
The young man told him that "something had taken hold of him, that he could resist for 20 more days without eating", Jenni reported. "But we managed to convince him to prioritize his life without abandoning the demand for justice."
Landau's gesture of recognition comes at a crucial moment, as the world's eyes begin to focus once again on the repression in Cuba and the aftermath of July 11, whose wounds remain unhealed.
Duannis, who was just another young man on the streets of the Diez de Octubre municipality on that July 11, has become a symbol of a generation that, with hope and courage, chose to break the silence. And his mother, in the purest image of resistance, has transformed her anguish into a cry for justice.
"Thank you all for your solidarity, love, and support. This fight belongs to everyone, and we're learning that," Jenni said after coming out of the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Duannis Dabel León Taboada and the human rights situation in Cuba
Who is Duannis Dabel León Taboada and why is he considered a political prisoner?
Duannis Dabel León Taboada is a 24-year-old Cuban who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for participating in the peaceful protests on July 11, 2021, in Cuba. The Prosecutor's Office accused him of sedition and damage to a police patrol, charges that he and his family deny. His case has been reported by human rights organizations due to the inhumane conditions of his imprisonment and as an example of political repression in Cuba.
What measures has Duannis taken in protest of her imprisonment?
Duannis began a hunger strike as a form of protest against his extended sentence and the conditions of his imprisonment. The strike lasted for 12 days, during which his health significantly deteriorated. He ultimately ended the strike after the intervention of his mother, Jenni Taboada, who managed to visit him and persuade him to prioritize his life while still pursuing his quest for justice.
What has been the response of the international community to the situation of Duannis and other political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community, including the United States and various human rights organizations, has shown its support for Duannis and other Cuban political prisoners. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, publicly honored Duannis and his mother for their courage, and several reports have been made by entities such as the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights and the collective Las Taniadas, warning about the serious risk to the young man's life due to his hunger strike and the conditions of his confinement.
What role has Duannis's mother, Jenni Taboada, played in the fight for her son's release?
Jenni Taboada has been a key figure in the fight for her son's freedom. She stood in front of Combinado del Este, the prison where Duannis is held, demanding to see him and obtain information about his condition. Her courage and determination have made her a symbol of resistance and shared pain for many Cuban families affected by the regime's repression. She has publicly denounced the inhumane conditions in which her son is kept and has held the Cuban state accountable for his well-being.
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