Angélica Garrido, a former Cuban political prisoner from the July 11 protests, has arrived in Miami from Madrid this week. Her visit is to attend the unveiling of the book Voz Cautiva, penned by her sister, fellow political prisoner María Cristina Garrido, who remains incarcerated on the island.
She received a warm welcome at Miami Airport, expressing that she was not surprised her sister was excluded from the recent releases orchestrated by the Cuban regime. The book launch, organized by the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile, is part of Women's History Month events, aiming to highlight the plight of Cuban political prisoners.
The event took place on March 22 in Miami, where Angélica accepted on her sister's behalf the honor of being named an "honorary member of the PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile." Voz Cautiva is a collection of poems María Cristina composed while serving a seven-year sentence.
Two Sisters, One Fate
Both María Cristina and Angélica were detained on July 12, 2021, following the unprecedented protests that swept across Cuba. They were involved in demonstrations in Quivicán, Mayabeque province.
While María Cristina remains behind bars, Angélica was released in July 2024 after serving a complete three-year sentence. Since gaining her freedom, Angélica has publicly condemned the torture and inhumane treatment she endured in prison and continues to speak out against the abuses her sister faces.
She has also criticized the recent prisoner releases facilitated by the Cuban government and the Vatican, describing them as "flawed and limited." She asserts that neither she nor her sister has "anything to thank" the international mediators for.
Backdrop of Releases and International Pressure
Under mounting international scrutiny, the Cuban regime recently released 553 political prisoners, excluding prominent figures like María Cristina Garrido. Alongside other prisoners, the activist and writer has become a symbol of the ongoing repression faced by dissidents in Cuba.
Amid these developments, Mike Hammer, the Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, recently called for the immediate release of María Cristina Garrido and fellow political prisoner Lizandra Góngora, reinforcing the United States' commitment to human rights in Cuba.
Understanding the Cuban Political Prisoner Situation
Who is Angélica Garrido and why is her arrival in Miami significant?
Angélica Garrido is a former political prisoner from Cuba, involved in the July 11 protests. Her arrival in Miami is significant as she participates in events highlighting the plight of Cuban political prisoners, including her sister, who remains incarcerated.
What is the book Voz Cautiva about?
Voz Cautiva is a collection of poems written by María Cristina Garrido while she serves a seven-year prison sentence. The book aims to shed light on the experiences of Cuban political prisoners.
How has the international community responded to the situation of Cuban political prisoners?
The international community, including figures like Mike Hammer from the U.S. Embassy, has called for the release of political prisoners like María Cristina Garrido and Lizandra Góngora, advocating for human rights in Cuba.