Abel Tablada, a Cuban architect and brother to Johana Tablada de la Torre, the Deputy Director-General of the United States Directorate at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), has issued a scathing critique of the Cuban regime following the death of Zoila Esther Chávez. Chávez, the mother of political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea, passed away without a final farewell to her son.
In a heartfelt social media post, Tablada lamented, "Zoila passed away without seeing her son, after pleading to see him one last time before dying. She suffered from her illness, but even more from her pain as a mother." He further remarked that the situation "sounds like the script of a movie depicting the cruelties of another nation and era, yet it happened today in Cuba."
The significance of Tablada's criticism is heightened by his familial connection to a high-ranking MINREX official, highlighting fractures within circles traditionally loyal to the government, and growing discontent among them.
Tablada also targeted state security forces, official media, and the judicial system in his post, accusing them of serving as instruments of censorship and repression. "Judicial case reports here are meant to threaten the powerless, never those truly in control," he asserted.
Zoila Esther Chávez, aged 84, died on Sunday, May 4th, without the chance to see her son, confirmed by activists on social media. She had lost her speech and was breathing faintly before her passing.
Barrenechea, an independent writer and journalist, was arrested in November 2024 for his participation in a peaceful protest against power outages in Cuba. Human rights organizations have labeled his detention as arbitrary.
His imprisonment left his ailing mother, who was battling cancer and needed constant care, without the necessary support. In mid-April, a gravely ill and isolated Zoila sent a heartbreaking plea for her son's release. "Sometimes I feel unwell, I lock the door because I'm scared, I lay down and pray to God and the Virgin to help me and let me wake up, because all I want before I die is to spend at least a month with my son; my greatest wish is to see him walk through that door."
Cuban civil society organizations demanded José Gabriel Barrenechea's immediate release and protection for his mother, but their calls were ignored by the regime.
"My condolences to her son, who should not be imprisoned, to the entire family and the people of Encrucijada," Tablada concluded, referencing the family's hometown. He also made a call for collective awareness, drawing parallels to the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo and other social justice movements.
His sister, Johana Ruth Tablada de la Torre, is a Cuban diplomat serving as the Deputy Director-General of the United States Directorate at MINREX. From this position, she has emerged as a prominent spokesperson for the regime on foreign policy matters, particularly regarding bilateral relations with Washington.
Tablada has been at the center of various controversies due to her public defense of the Cuban government, including denying the existence of Chinese espionage bases on the island and blaming the United States for the migration crisis. Human rights organizations have included her in lists of repressors, accusing her of spreading official propaganda and justifying violations of fundamental rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Political Prisoners in Cuba
Who was Zoila Esther Chávez?
Zoila Esther Chávez was the mother of political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea. She passed away without having the chance to say goodbye to her son.
Why was José Gabriel Barrenechea imprisoned?
Barrenechea, an independent journalist, was arrested in November 2024 for participating in a peaceful protest against power outages in Cuba. His detention is considered arbitrary by human rights organizations.
What have civil society organizations demanded regarding Barrenechea?
Cuban civil society organizations have called for the immediate release of José Gabriel Barrenechea and had also sought protection for his late mother, Zoila Esther Chávez.
Who is Johana Ruth Tablada de la Torre?
Johana Ruth Tablada de la Torre is a Cuban diplomat and the Deputy Director-General of the United States Directorate at MINREX. She is known for being a vocal defender of the Cuban regime's foreign policy.