Bárbara Farrat Guillén, a Cuban mother who once sold peanuts on the streets to feed her child, took to Facebook this Monday with a powerful message aimed at Miguel Díaz-Canel. In her post, she detailed how the arrest of her son, Jonathan Torres Farrat, transformed her from a humble vendor to a relentless activist.
"Canel, when you took my son from me, I was just a simple Cuban selling peanuts to feed my child. You snatched him away, kidnapped him, and he was both physically and mentally abused," Farrat wrote. She shared two poignant photographs: one of her selling peanuts with her son and another holding a sign demanding "Freedom for Jonathan Torres Farrat" and urging EFE to cover the trials.
The mother admitted that the repression initially shattered her. "I won't deny that at first, I was so devastated I couldn't eat or sleep. And I have proof of what I'm writing," she confessed.
Yet, the anguish morphed into strength. "You brought out something in me that had always been there, something I never needed until now—a pair of strong ovaries," she defiantly told the Cuban leader, concluding her message with a declaration that encapsulates her years of struggle: "Even if you kill me, I will always stand for freedom for all our brave brothers and for our people."
The Arrest and Its Aftermath
Jonathan Torres Farrat was just 17 when he was detained on August 13, 2021, following his participation in the significant July 11 protests that year on the Calzada de Diez de Octubre in Havana—the largest public demonstrations in Cuba in over six decades.
Accused of sedition, Jonathan spent more than nine months behind bars. During this time, his mother publicly denounced the physical and psychological abuse he endured, as well as the repeated denial of medical care. He was finally released on May 25, 2022, with Bárbara confirming tearfully, "It was possible."
The Ongoing Struggle for Freedom
The relief was short-lived. On January 23, 2023, the Provincial Court of Havana sentenced Jonathan to four years of limited freedom for sedition—the lightest sentence in a collective trial where 14 other demonstrators received sentences of up to 13 years, totaling 75 years among the 15 accused.
Upon learning of the verdict, Bárbara warned that the sentence did not mark the end of harassment: "From today, my son will be monitored every week, required to sign in regularly. It's a way to continue the oppression, to persist in the misery."
A Personal Toll
Bárbara Farrat's fight has exacted a tremendous personal cost. She refused to testify as a prosecution witness in her son's trial in November 2022, reported systematic harassment by State Security, and witnessed her neighbors being investigated for signing a letter to Díaz-Canel asking for Jonathan's freedom. In April 2024, the roof of her home nearly collapsed, prompting her to seek public assistance for repairs.
If Jonathan's four-year sentence of limited freedom, imposed in January 2023, is fully served, it will conclude in January 2027.
Understanding the Struggle of Cuban Activists
What triggered Bárbara Farrat Guillén's activism?
Bárbara Farrat Guillén became an activist following the arrest of her son, Jonathan Torres Farrat, in August 2021, after his involvement in the July 11 protests in Havana.
What were the conditions of Jonathan Torres Farrat's release?
Jonathan Torres Farrat was released on May 25, 2022, after spending over nine months in prison. His release came amid allegations of physical and mental abuse and denial of medical care.
What challenges does Bárbara Farrat face post-trial?
Following the trial, Bárbara Farrat continues to face harassment, with her son required to check in weekly. She has also dealt with state security intimidation and damage to her home.