Heartfelt Plea from Mother of Jailed Cuban Writer Protesting Power Outage

At 84 years old, Zoila, an ailing and solitary elderly woman, has delivered a heartrending plea for the release of her son, the Cuban writer José Gabriel Barrenechea. He has been imprisoned since November after taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Villa Clara. "Sometimes I feel unwell, and I lock the door out of fear. I lay down and pray to God and the Virgin to let me see another day, because my greatest wish before I die is to spend even just a month with my son. All I long for is to watch him walk through that door," she tearfully shared in a video posted by the independent outlet Cubanet.

Accused of "public disorder," José Gabriel is Zoila's only living son and closest relative. Since the passing of her husband, with whom she spent over 65 years, and the loss of her eldest son at 36, Zoila has been left completely alone, relying entirely on José Gabriel for care. "He would sleep beside me, never leaving me alone. He fed me, ensured I had all I needed because he knows I'm sick," she recounted, her voice quivering.

Her already delicate health has further declined since her son's arrest on November 8th during protests against power outages in Encrucijada. She lives in constant fear for her survival. The protests on that day, like many others recently seen across Cuba, were sparked by ongoing blackouts and the dire economic situation. Residents from various communities peacefully took to the streets to demand improvements and respect. Yet, the state's response was one of repression and the criminalization of their right to protest.

Barrenechea, recognized in cultural circles and known for his critical thinking, remains in custody awaiting trial. "I'm dying of sorrow. All I want is to embrace him, to have him here even for a month. It's the only thing I ask of life," she pleads, hoping someone might assist her in reaching the prison, despite her need for a wheelchair, to advocate for her son's freedom.