Bordered by the repression of the regime, Mariana Fernández León and Yaneris Redondo León left the island on a raft and managed to reach the United States last Sunday. In September they were sentenced to four years of “correctional work” without internment and seven of “deprivation of liberty” for participating in the demonstrations on July 11, 2021 and are currently free on bail.
For more than a year they suffered harassment by State Security, “that’s where we made the decision,” Mariana, 20, told journalist Mario J. Pentón. “We could not live in prison and they were going to continue taking reprisals against us, for the fun of it, without us having done anything, because we are not criminals.”
Mariana warned about the levels of oppression that are experienced on the Island and warned that this is precisely the reason why the Cuban people do not unite. “He is very afraid, they are taking 20 years unjustifiably.”
“Remembering that is terrible, it terrifies me.” Yaneris was taken from her house by State Security. “They did it in front of my grandmother sick with Alzheimer’s and the children”
“My family in Cuba may be in danger because we are talking,” Redondo said for his part to the same communicator. The sisters were arrested on July 18 of last year and charged with the crimes of assault, public disorder, and contempt, and were released four days later after paying 1,000 pesos. detailed the activist Salome Garcia Bacallao.
“Remembering that is terrible, it terrifies me.” Yaneris was taken from her house by State Security. “They did it in front of my grandmother who is sick with Alzheimer’s and the children,” she said, “they grabbed me by the neck and hit me with the bat and dragged my sisters, who had nothing to do with it.”
Fernández and Redondo are in the process to request asylum and expose credible fear before the Court, hoping that they will not be deported, due to the danger that all this would entail.
The United States Coast Guard repatriated this Thursday 95 Cubans aboard the ship Edgar Culberston. According to a statement from the departmentthe people are part of the crews of five interdictions that were carried out before they managed to land in Florida.
Lieutenant Peter Hutchison, from District Seven, urged the rafters to avoid the crossing because if they are detained, “they will be repatriated to their country of origin or departure.”
Despite warnings and risks, attempts to reach Florida have increased. On Wednesday, Lieutenant Raúl Ortiz reported the arrest of 55 rafters, related “to maritime smuggling in the Florida Keys.”
According to figures from the Coast Guard, from October 1 to Thursday, 2,005 Cubans have seen their attempt to obtain the American dream.
The route of the rafters also has Mexico as its destination. This Thursday six Cubans landed on Isla Mujeres, in the state of Quintana Roo. The people “crossed the road and went in various directions, getting lost among the streets of the La Gloria neighborhood,” he published. Isla Mujeres News.
The local authorities implemented an operation to find the Cuban rafters and notified the National Institute of Migration and the National Guard. In the boat, to which they adapted a vehicle engine for its impulse, some clothes were left.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio He is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for accompanying us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our newspaper. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
