MIAMI, United States. – The world association of writers PEN International chose the Cuban poet, narrator and political prisoner María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez, imprisoned in Cuba for participating in the historic anti-government protests of July 11, 2021, as your image of International Women’s Day.
Garrido Rodríguez was sentenced to seven years in prison on March 10, 2022 for the charges of “public disorder”, “aggression”, “incitement to commit a crime”, “contempt” and “resistance”.
The poet and activist was arrested on July 12, 2021 for participating, along with her sister and thousands of Cubans, in the peaceful protests of 11J against the repression of their fundamental rights, including the government’s management during the crisis caused by COVID -19.
Since her arrest, Garrido Rodríguez has been subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including solitary confinement, beatings, denial of food and water, and inadequate sanitary conditions. Furthermore, she has been denied access to family visits and calls.
This March 8, PEN International also recalls that the activist has been subjected to torture and ill-treatment by the Cuban political police, which has been denounced by various international organizations.
In a letter from prison in December 2021, Garrido Rodríguez spoke of his pride in having participated in the protests of July 11, 2021 and denounced the horrors suffered by those who are imprisoned in Cuba. She also claimed that State Security punishes her for every letter she writes.
Along with his sister Angélica, Garrido Rodríguez went on a five-day hunger strike on September 20, 2022 to protest their sentences and detention. According to family members, the Cuban authorities relied on false testimony from police officers and other witnesses during his trial in January 2022.
María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez is a member of the Network of Cuban Women, where she supports the visibility of women in various spaces, and of other activist networks such as the Vuelta Abajo por Cuba Foundation and the Latin American Federation of Rural Women. She is the author of time exampublished in 2022, and was awarded the First National Prize in the Carlos Baliño Tobacco Contest in 2008. Much of her work has been confiscated by the Cuban State from her home, in Quivicán.
Given this situation, PEN International called on the Cuban authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Garrido Rodríguez and drop all charges against him. He also called for the release of all writers and artists unjustly imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression and artistic expression.
