Amid the escalating university protests in Cuba against the steep price hikes imposed by state-owned ETECSA, Marta Perdomo Benítez, the mother of political prisoners Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo, has voiced her support with a heartfelt message. From her Facebook account, Marta declared, "I, Marta Perdomo Benítez, mother of Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo—the so-called brothers of San José de Las Lajas—as young professionals, want to tell the university students that we stand with you."
Marta continued, "You are the strength that keeps us moving forward. My sons are serving 6 and 8 years in prison for demanding their rights, yet you have shown the courage to unite and demand yours." She concluded her post with a plea to other Cuban mothers: "Do not leave your children alone. Freedom for Jorge and Nadir, freedom for all political prisoners!"
Jorge and Nadir were arrested on July 17, 2021, after participating in the historic July 11th protests in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque. Sentenced to six and eight years, respectively, they have become symbols of the repression faced by young Cubans who protest peacefully. Despite threats from the regime, their mother has consistently spoken out publicly.
A Call to Action from a Determined Mother
Marta's message comes at a time when students from various universities, including those at the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Havana, have mobilized through statements, public denunciations, and strikes in opposition to ETECSA's new tariffs. Her words resonate with generations of repressed Cuban youth and build a bridge of solidarity between those who have paid with their freedom for speaking out and those daring to do so today.
The Unjust Fate of the San José de las Lajas Brothers
Professionals in Mathematics, Computing, and Foreign Languages, Jorge and Nadir received their first prison leave in mid-September 2023 after over two years in confinement. Images of their temporary return home, marked by visible weight loss and emotional reunions, moved those following their case.
Following their arrest, their parents accused the government of fabricating charges to keep them imprisoned and cited threats over their online posts. Initially charged with conspiracy, they faced additional accusations of incitement to delinquency, public disorder, disrespect, and epidemic spread.
Their lawyer filed an appeal, challenging the court's apparent bias in dismissing defense evidence without cross-examination. Marta claimed the trial was filled with falsehoods, recounting how her son Nadir was presented to her "in shackles, as if he were a criminal." The authorities further inflicted cruelty by separating the brothers in prison. In April 2022, the Mayabeque Provincial Court denied their appeal.
A Cuban Mother's Stand Against the Dictatorship
Marta Perdomo has emerged as a prominent figure in the fight for the freedom of Cuban political prisoners. Her message to students is not only one of support but also a call for families to stand by their children when they choose to exercise their right to protest: "You are the strength to move forward."
In this time of social unrest, her voice joins others, both within and outside the Island, demanding justice, rights, and freedom for those punished for dreaming aloud.
Understanding the Struggle of Political Prisoners in Cuba
What sparked the university protests in Cuba?
The protests were ignited by the steep price increases imposed by the state-run telecom company, ETECSA, which have been met with strong opposition from university students across the country.
Who are Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo?
Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo are Cuban professionals sentenced to six and eight years in prison, respectively, for participating in the 11J protests. They have become symbols of the state's repression against peaceful demonstrators.
What role does Marta Perdomo play in the fight for political prisoners?
Marta Perdomo is a vocal advocate for the freedom of Cuban political prisoners, using her platform to support student protests and urge families to stand by their children in their pursuit of rights and justice.