Upon learning that Cuban American Marco Rubio has been nominated to be the next Secretary of State for the Donald Trump administration, Cuban political prisoner Juan Enrique Pérez Sánchez has penned a letter to the U.S. senator explaining the dire situation in Cuba.
Dorisbel Guillén Cruz reports via ADN Cuba (my translation):
Political prisoner Juan Enrique Pérez sends a letter to Marco Rubio
Cuban political prisoner Juan Enrique Pérez Sánchez sent a letter from Melena del Sur prison in Mayabeque to Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio, who has been designated as the next U.S. Secretary of State.
The letter, shared on Monday on X by activist Marcel Valdés, was written on November 30, just weeks after Rubio’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump.
“I want to thank you for your great work and fight against communism in the world, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean,” wrote Pérez Sánchez, who was sentenced by the Cuban regime to 8 years in prison for participating in the July 2021 protests in the town of Vegas, Nueva Paz municipality, in the province of Mayabeque.
In the letter, he also denounced the torture and repression suffered by the 11J protesters, particularly in his case.
“I am one of those who were physically and mentally injured after being kidnapped in the streets by the political police and state security. Sir, we were imprisoned, unjustly prosecuted, and denied the right to report the torture we have endured to this day.”
Pérez Sánchez, convicted of alleged crimes such as contempt, public disorder, and sabotage, also shared with the Cuban-American politician that his wife, Dayana Aranda Batista, has been a victim of repression.
“Known to everyone as DayaJuanPerez [her Facebook username], she also suffered torture after being kidnapped and, since her release, has not stopped fighting for my freedom and that of the 11 and 12 July prisoners.”
In the letter, he expressed gratitude for the support of other opposition members and activists who have amplified his claims, his fight, and the human rights violations he has suffered in prison.
“A great brother, Marcel Valdés, joined this daily struggle, becoming my voice from prison. This man, along with other brothers and sisters in exile, has not ceased in their efforts to free political prisoners and the Cuban people from the clutches of communism. Yet we continue to endure the wrath of the repressive monster.”
“Personally, my faith lies in all the men willing to fight to the end for Cuba’s freedom because we are on the right side of history. Count on us, as we count on you. Viva Cuba Libre, Down with the Castro-Canel regime, Down with the Dictatorship,” concluded the political prisoner.
Sharing the letter, activist Marcel Valdés urged people to tag Marco Rubio to ensure the message reached him. “Juan will appreciate it,” Valdés wrote.
For not yielding in his political positions, Juan Enrique Pérez has suffered numerous violations in prison, including beatings, torture, denial of medical care, transfers, and confinement in isolation cells. On multiple occasions, he has gone on hunger strikes and staged protests with signs inside the prison. He has even sewn his mouth shut as a way to demand respect for his rights.
This week, another 11J political prisoner, Rolando Sardiña, known as “El Koka,” sent a New Year’s greeting from the forced labor camp at Agüica prison in Matanzas.
Sardiña, sentenced to 12 years in prison, wrote: “To all the families entering another year-end without their sons, nephews, and grandchildren because they are unjustly imprisoned for July 11, to my friends, and especially to my family, Happy New Year.”
Despite the Cuban regime’s intransigence regarding potential releases of political prisoners, the rapper also expressed optimism: “Soon we will all be home with our families and friends. Thank you for supporting all the July 11 prisoners.”
He concluded by declaring: “History shows that punishment does not stop men when their conscience has awakened.”