The parents of Leudis Arce Romero, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2003 in Cuba, are speaking out for the release of their son, who has been behind bars for nearly 22 years. Leudis and four other young men—José Ángel Díaz Ortiz, Francisco Reyes Rodríguez, Lázaro Ávila Sierra, and Jorge Luis Pérez Puentes—were accused by the Cuban government of plotting to hijack a plane to escape to the United States, a crime they never completed.
Allegedly, the youths attacked a recruit in the town of La Fe, Isla de la Juventud, attempting to seize his automatic AK-M rifle, but they never reached the Nueva Gerona airport. The Provincial Court of Havana convicted them of terrorism and armed robbery, imposing the harshest penalties.
Parental Outcry Against Unjust Sentencing
Bartolo Arce, Leudis' father, expressed in an interview with ADN the anguish he feels, labeling the sentence as both disproportionate and arbitrary. "My son is sentenced to life for a crime that was never committed. I'm not blinded by a father's love. What outrages me is the disregard for his human rights," he stated with pain.
Magnolia Romero, the young man's mother, condemned the inhumane conditions her son has endured over the past two decades. "He's been in prison for almost 22 years, without sunlight, without anything. I want the world to know. As parents, we've been serving a life sentence for 21 years. It's a profound pain," she explained.
Plea for Intervention and Justice
Magnolia also issued an appeal to Cuba's current leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel: "How long will this abuse of power continue? Díaz-Canel must consider these young men because this sentencing is unjust." She recalled that the trial against these youths was used as an exemplary case during Fidel Castro's era, with the maximum penalty imposed as a deterrent to others.
In April 2021, the families voiced concerns over the harsh conditions of their imprisonment and the deteriorating physical and mental state of the prisoners after nearly two decades. They highlighted the lack of official information about their health, which caused distress among their relatives. The mothers emphasized the disproportionate treatment compared to historical cases like the Moncada Barracks assault, whose perpetrators were pardoned much sooner.
Calls for Amnesty and International Support
In May 2023, the mothers of these political prisoners wrote to the Cardinal of Havana and the President of the Conference of Bishops, seeking the Catholic Church's intervention for an amnesty. The letters detailed the prolonged suffering of the prisoners and their families, arguing that after 20 years, the prisoners had atoned for their actions and called for their release as a humanitarian gesture of reconciliation.
This case highlights the tension between justice and politics in Cuba, showcasing the use of harsh sentences to deter dissent in a politically repressive environment. The ongoing calls for amnesty remain a beacon of hope for the families, who seek international and ecclesiastical support to alter the course of these men's lives after two decades of imprisonment.
Understanding the Legal and Political Context of Cuba
What charges were brought against Leudis Arce Romero and his companions?
Leudis Arce Romero and his companions were charged with terrorism and armed robbery for allegedly plotting to hijack a plane to the United States, although the crime was not carried out.
How have the families of the imprisoned youths responded to their sentencing?
The families, particularly the parents, have been vocal in denouncing the life sentences as unjust and have called for international and ecclesiastical intervention to secure their release, highlighting the harsh conditions and prolonged imprisonment.
What role has the Catholic Church been asked to play in this situation?
The families have appealed to the Catholic Church for its intervention to obtain an amnesty for the prisoners, presenting it as a humanitarian gesture after 20 years of incarceration.