Lisset Fonseca, the mother of July 11th protester Roberto Pérez Fonseca, has demanded the release of Cuban political prisoners in a heartfelt message marking the start of the new year. "Freedom for my son, freedom for all political prisoners," she declared in a post shared on X by her other son, activist Albert Fonseca.
Lisset reminded the public that her son Roberto was among the thousands of Cubans who participated in the historic July 11, 2021 uprising. He was subsequently sentenced to a decade behind bars for breaking an image of Fidel Castro during the protests in San José de las Lajas.
Harsh Repression on the Island
Roberto's situation exemplifies the severe repression on the island, where Cuban authorities have harshly punished over 700 demonstrators from that day. In his year-end message, Albert Fonseca also highlighted his brother Roberto's plight in prison, where he has endured cruel and inhumane treatment.
A Family's Struggle for Justice
The Fonseca family has embodied resilience since the July 11 protests, persistently advocating for Roberto's freedom and the release of other political detainees. Their fight has not been without personal cost.
In August 2022, Lisset Fonseca was apprehended by Cuban police while peacefully protesting alongside other relatives of political prisoners at Havana's Cathedral Square. That same year, she was barred from traveling to Europe, where she intended to meet with international bodies like the European Parliament and the United Nations Human Rights Committee to call for her son's release and that of other political prisoners.
Understanding the Cuban Political Prisoner Issue
What led to Roberto Pérez Fonseca's imprisonment?
Roberto Pérez Fonseca was imprisoned for participating in the July 11, 2021 protests and for breaking a Fidel Castro image during the demonstrations.
How has the Fonseca family resisted the Cuban regime?
The Fonseca family has actively fought for Roberto's release and that of other political prisoners, despite facing personal risks and repression from the Cuban authorities.