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The Patmos Institute awarded its Annual Prize 2025 to Cuban intellectual and political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, and posthumously to his mother, Zoila Esther Chávez, who died without being able to see him before she passed away, as reported by Martí Noticias.
The recognition honors the faith, moral integrity, and defense of human rights of both, in a Cuba where believing and speaking freely remains an act of risk and courage.
A faith that endures even behind bars
The award, presented every October 31st, coincides with the commemoration of the International Day of the Protestant Reformation and is intended for those who embody genuine faith and an ethical commitment to the truth within the island.
Pastor Mario Félix Lleonart, founder of the Institute, explained that the award "is not granted because someone is imprisoned, but because they maintain their faith in the midst of adversity," the mentioned outlet reported.
"José Gabriel has moved from what he called a cultural Catholicism to a more vivid and existential experience of faith, strengthened during his time in prison," said Lleonart.
An intellectual punished for telling the truth
José Gabriel Barrenechea, a physics professor and writer from Villa Clara, was arrested on November 8, 2024, after participating in a peaceful protest against power outages in Encrucijada, Villa Clara.
Despite being judged on September 24, 2025, he remains detained without a sentence, which organizations and activists label as a violation of his fundamental rights.
Zoila Esther Chávez: a mother who died waiting
The Institute also dedicated the award to the memory of Zoila Esther Chávez, mother of the intellectual, who passed away on May 4, 2025, at the age of 84, without being able to embrace her son.
According to a report from the Patmos Institute, the authorities responded to the family's request with a cruel phrase: "The son will see his mother when she dies."
Zoila, suffering from cancer, succumbed to despair, refusing to eat. Her story reflects the pain of hundreds of Cuban mothers whose children remain imprisoned for political reasons.
The voice from the cell
From prison, Barrenechea sent two messages that demonstrate his spiritual calmness and his commitment to the values that led him to incarceration:
"I wish to thank my Church, the one of my mother and my elders: the Catholic Church. Monsignor Arturo brought me spiritual comfort and the word of Our Lord."
In another letter, Pastor Lleonart wrote:
"I will carry the Cross like my Lord. There are values that give meaning to our days, and although it may be daunting to face them, it is an honor to do so. God, Homeland, and Family!"
Twelve years of an award for free conscience
The Patmos Award, founded in 2014, has recognized Cuban intellectuals, activists, and believers who have faced persecution for exercising their faith or for their critical thinking.
Among the honorees are Ernesto Borges, Félix Navarro, Lorenzo Rosales, María Cristina Garrido, and Sissi Abascal, all of whom are victims of repression or imprisonment for political reasons.
With this edition, the Institute marks twelve consecutive years of defending freedom of conscience, honoring a son who resists behind bars and a mother who died waiting for justice.
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