The Cuban architect Abel Tablada, brother of Johana Tablada de la Torre, deputy director general of the United States Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX), harshly criticized the Cuban regime following the death of Zoila Esther Chávez, mother of the political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, who died without being able to say goodbye to his son.
In a post on her social media, Tablada expressed: “Zoila passed away and could not see her son after begging to be allowed to see him before she died. She died suffering from her illness, but even worse, from her pain as a mother.”
He added that this fact “seems like the script of a movie that tells of cruelties from another country and another time, but no, it is something that happened today in Cuba”.
The criticism takes on special significance due to Tablada's family connection with a high-ranking official at MINREX, highlighting fractures within the inner circle of power and the growing discontent among historically loyal sectors of the government.
In his text, Tablada also lashed out at the state's repressive organs, the official media, and the judicial system, accusing them of functioning as tools of censorship and repression. "Here, reports about judicial cases are meant to threaten those at the bottom, never those who truly hold power," he denounced.
Zoila Esther Chávez, 84 years old, passed away on Sunday, May 4th without being able to say goodbye to her son, as confirmed by activists on social media. The woman had lost her ability to speak and was showing shallow breathing before her passing.
Barrenechea, an independent writer and journalist, was arrested in November 2024 for participating in a peaceful protest against power outages in Cuba. His detention has been deemed arbitrary by human rights organizations.
Barrenechea's imprisonment left his mother without proper care, as she was suffering from cancer and required constant attention.
In mid-April, Zoila, very ill and alone, sent a heartbreaking message requesting the release of her son. “Sometimes I feel bad, I close the door because I’m afraid, I lie down and I pray to God and the Virgin to help me and let me see the dawn, because all I want is, before I die, to spend at least one month with my son; what I long for the most is to see him walk through that door.”
Cuban civil society organizations demanded the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and protection for his mother, but the regime ignored their call.
“My condolences to your son, who shouldn’t be incarcerated, to the entire family and the people of Encrucijada”, Tablada concluded, referring to the hometown of the family. He also called for collective awareness, evoking the example of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo and other popular struggles for social justice.
Her sister, Johana Ruth Tablada de la Torre is a Cuban diplomat who holds the position of deputy director general of the United States Directorate at MINREX. From that position, she has established herself as one of the main spokespersons for the regime on foreign policy matters, particularly regarding bilateral relations with Washington.
Tablada has been at the center of numerous controversies for her public defense of the Cuban government, denying, for example, the existence of Chinese espionage bases on the island and blaming the United States for the migration crisis. Additionally, she has been included in lists of repressors by human rights organizations, accused of spreading official propaganda and justifying violations of fundamental rights.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of human rights and political prisoners in Cuba
Who is José Gabriel Barrenechea and why was he arrested?
José Gabriel Barrenechea is a Cuban independent writer and journalist who was arrested in November 2024 for participating in a peaceful protest against the power outages in Cuba. His detention has been described as arbitrary by human rights advocacy groups, and since then he has remained imprisoned without having been granted a fair trial.
What happened to José Gabriel Barrenechea's mother?
Zoila Esther Chávez, mother of José Gabriel Barrenechea, passed away without being able to say goodbye to her son due to the Cuban regime's refusal to allow her a final visit. Her death is seen as a symbol of the dehumanization and cruelty of the regime, which not only punishes dissenters but also their families.
How has the international community reacted to the situation of José Gabriel Barrenechea and his mother?
The international community, including the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, has expressed its condolences for the passing of Zoila Esther Chávez and has called for the release of political prisoners in Cuba. Human rights organizations and activists have denounced the situation and have urged the global community to exert pressure on the regime to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.
What actions have activists and human rights organizations in Cuba taken regarding this case?
Activists and human rights organizations have demanded the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and have denounced the inhumane treatment of his mother. They have called for collective awareness and recalled the example of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, demanding justice for all families affected by the repression of the Cuban regime.
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