The renowned Cuban economist and opposition figure, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, returned to Cuba on Thursday after staying in Miami for health reasons. She traveled there in February on a humanitarian visa to receive medical care. The 79-year-old dissident arrived in Havana aboard an American Airlines flight from the United States, touching down shortly after 3 PM.
Her return followed several weeks of recovery from kidney failure linked to diabetes, which had previously required her hospitalization at the Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras in Havana. In a video released by the Fundación Rescate Jurídico, Roque explained that her decision to come back to the island is closely tied to her activism. "At the moment, the island is facing a very challenging situation, not just politically, but also economically and socially. I want to spend some time there to personally understand what is happening," she stated.
A former university professor and economist, Roque was the sole woman sentenced during the 2003 crackdown known as the Black Spring, when the regime imprisoned 75 dissidents. Since then, she has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and freedom of expression in Cuba.
In her latest interview, Roque also voiced her concerns about the imprisonment of her former colleagues, José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, whose conditional releases were revoked this week. "This is a recurring pattern. Whenever there is a surge of dissidents who manage to connect with the people and speak out, the dictatorship suppresses them and imprisons them," she lamented.
In 2024, Martha Beatriz Roque was honored with the International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State, recognizing her relentless fight for civil rights in Cuba. Her return to the island marks a new chapter in her commitment to peaceful dissent, amid an increasingly severe political, economic, and social crisis.
Insights on Martha Beatriz Roque's Return and Activism
Why did Martha Beatriz Roque return to Cuba?
Martha Beatriz Roque returned to Cuba to immerse herself in the current political, economic, and social challenges the island is facing. Her decision is closely linked to her activism and desire to understand the situation firsthand.
What health issues did Martha Beatriz Roque face?
Martha Beatriz Roque suffered from kidney failure related to diabetes, which required her to seek medical treatment in Miami and previously in Havana.
What recognition did Martha Beatriz Roque receive in 2024?
In 2024, Martha Beatriz Roque was awarded the International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State for her steadfast advocacy for civil rights in Cuba.