Pedro López, a Cuban activist, proudly announced on social media this Tuesday that he has resumed his work as a machinist in Germany, a profession he practiced in his home country before being forced to emigrate to escape persecution and harassment by the regime.
"Once again doing what I love, thanks to Germany," he wrote on Facebook. López is a relative of political prisoner Andy García Lorenzo, who, in 2023, sold his machining workshop in Santa Clara to escape the regime's persecution with his family.
In the comments section, several friends from Santa Clara celebrated the news: "Oh Pedro, I’m so happy for you. There’s nothing like doing what you love. I know how much you suffered leaving your own business. Santa Clara’s anniversary was yesterday, and it missed many valuable sons. Love you, family," wrote Yoisel Fuentes Iglesias.
"We had to flee from State Security, and everything happened very quickly," López clarified in a video from a refugee camp in the city of Giessen, Germany, where he has applied for political asylum.
In Cuba, López was an advocate for political prisoners. However, due to his activism, he had to flee the country with his wife and two children, one of whom is García Lorenzo's brother-in-law, who remains imprisoned. Before escaping, López was arbitrarily detained at a police station in Santa Clara on the alleged charge of "incitement to commit a crime."
"They charged my dad with incitement to commit a crime," his son Jonatan López said in a video he posted on Facebook. However, the entire family was subjected to the regime's intimidation tactics when government supporters, encouraged by State Security, threw eggs at their house in Santa Clara, seemingly during the early morning hours.
"Are they punishing our family because we were the ones who built the double valves for the hospitals, who repaired the regulators in Santa Clara during the pandemic? Are they punishing our family because we saved countless lives in Santa Clara?" he questioned.
Despite the regime's punishment of his courageous stance, López dedicated himself to innovating to help hospitals in Villa Clara province for free during the Covid-19 pandemic. He produced valves for distributing oxygen to Covid-19 patients without charging a single peso, yet still faced harassment from State Security.
Pedro López's Journey and Struggles
Here are some frequently asked questions about Pedro López's journey from Cuba to Germany and his ongoing struggles.
Why did Pedro López leave Cuba?
Pedro López had to leave Cuba to escape persecution and harassment by the regime due to his activism and advocacy for political prisoners.
What profession does Pedro López practice in Germany?
Pedro López resumed his work as a machinist, a profession he practiced in Cuba before emigrating.
How did Pedro López and his family suffer at the hands of the Cuban regime?
Pedro López and his family faced arbitrary detention, intimidation, and harassment, including having eggs thrown at their house by government supporters encouraged by State Security.