Julio Llopiz-Casal's earliest memory takes place in a crib in Santos Suárez, where he stared up at a concrete ceiling. Suddenly, his mother, Inés Casal, appeared with a bright smile and posed a question that would linger with him through the years: "What do you think about life?"
This poignant moment resurfaced for the Cuban artist and activist after his mother's passing. On Tuesday, he shared a heartfelt farewell on Facebook, penned from the perspective of a son attempting to finally answer his mother's question so many years later.
Llopiz-Casal recounted replaying that memory "hundreds of times" in the hours following her death. As a baby, he imagines he responded with a smile. Now, equipped with words, life experiences, and newfound certainties, he chose to reply in the same manner: with a smile, this time etched with age and all that he has lived through.
"It’s been wonderful to reach this point, especially because your sweetness never left me alone, teaching me to appreciate our life more," he wrote.
He also expressed gratitude to his mother for the strength she instilled in him to face "the dark sides" and to cherish "the treasures God gives us."
The farewell ended with a promise of continuity beyond her physical absence: "Light on the path, my dearest Inés. We continue, now in new forms. I love you."
Julio's words seem to conclude a conversation that his mother had left open only months earlier.
The Legacy of Maternal Love and Resilience
In February, separated by the physical distance of exile, Inés Casal sent her son another message filled with love and remembrance.
She recalled the first heartbeat of her son within her, the sleepless nights, the fevers, the accidents, and that deeply maternal fear of not foreseeing potential dangers.
"From the first beat of your heart, which I felt like a little snake moving inside me, I knew something wonderful was growing within me that would accompany me forever," Inés said, in words brimming with the unconditional and infinite love of a mother.
All her worries, she wrote, vanished with the first smile, the tiny hands clasping hers, and the first steps followed by those that would guide Julio "along the straight and honest path" to becoming the man she admired.
"How naive those who believe that physical separation can break this bond! Your heart will continue beating with mine forever," Inés declared.
After her death, those words take on a new dimension.
The heart she promised to carry with her endures now in her son's memory, while that first question about life finds its answer in gratitude, a smile, and love.
A Woman of Conviction
The gentle woman in Julio's memories was also a Cuban with firm convictions, willing to critically reexamine her own history and to speak out against abuses of power.
Inés Casal, a retired teacher, was a member of the Communist Party of Cuba for nearly 30 years. She sincerely believed in the Revolution until she felt betrayed by a system to which she had dedicated a significant part of her life.
Defending her son became one of her most visible battles. In February 2021, amid the official campaign against participants of the 27N movement, she denounced the escalating hatred and slander dividing Cubans.
Inés publicly defended Julio's integrity, rejecting the regime's efforts to discredit him. She insisted that her son was not a terrorist or a criminal, but a Cuban artist demanding political, creative, and expressive freedoms.
Two months later, she again addressed the authorities. "I urge you to stop this media assassination," she demanded of the Cuban government, condemning the defamation campaigns against young people whose only "crime" was thinking differently and voicing it.
Her maternal concern extended beyond her own family. In her writings, she spoke on behalf of other Cuban mothers who silently endured persecution, imprisonment, or injustices against their children, urging them not to remain silent.
In November 2021, she reflected on a new generation's awakening and acknowledged the fear her own generation had instilled in their descendants by teaching them to remain silent to avoid trouble.
After admitting the sadness of dedicating her life to what she considered a lie, she placed her hope in the young Cubans defending their homeland, dignity, and honor.
Her sensitivity resurfaced powerfully after the fire at the Matanzas Super Tanker Base. In August 2022, she declared that there was no forgiveness for those who sent inexperienced youths to confront a disaster requiring professional firefighters.
Inés called for respect for the grief of the mothers, fathers, and relatives of those young men, rejecting the notion that their deaths should be masked by heroic speeches, diplomas, or medals.
Her Critical Perspective
Her critical gaze extended to all of society. In March 2025, she denounced the corruption, indifference, and loss of values she believed were leading Cuba to a gradual demise.
Casal accused the ruling elite of crushing the country with impunity, but she also urged Cubans to examine their own responsibility in the face of silence, division, and indifference to others' suffering.
Her voice remained resolute until her final months. Last April, she asserted that fewer people were being deceived by Castroist propaganda and celebrated that more Cubans were losing their fear and standing up to the regime.
She described a nation exhausted by blackouts, water shortages, hunger, and poverty, but concluded her reflection with a statement that encapsulated her spirit: "I continue and will continue with hope intact."
Understanding Inés Casal's Impact and Legacy
Who was Inés Casal and what did she stand for?
Inés Casal was a retired Cuban teacher and former member of the Communist Party of Cuba. She was known for her firm convictions and willingness to speak out against abuses of power and defend the rights of her son and others facing persecution.
How did Julio Llopiz-Casal honor his mother's memory?
Julio Llopiz-Casal honored his mother's memory by sharing a heartfelt farewell message on Facebook, reflecting on the life lessons she taught him and expressing gratitude for her unwavering support and love.
What role did Inés Casal play in the 27N movement?
Inés Casal played a significant role in defending the participants of the 27N movement, denouncing the government's campaign of hatred and slander against them and advocating for their right to freedom of expression.