Maria Isabel Breto has found no peace since her son, Marco Antonio Alfonso Breto, was imprisoned at the age of 24 for his involvement in the protests on July 12, 2021, in the La Güinera neighborhood of Havana.
This past Friday, the organization Justicia 11J shared her story as part of the campaign "Women Who Uphold the Struggle," highlighting the ongoing harassment she has faced since that time.
"My son didn't kill, steal, or assault anyone; he shouldn't be behind bars," Maria Isabel asserts in a video shared by the organization.
Marco Antonio was just 19 when authorities apprehended him following the 11J protests. Prosecutors sought a 15-year prison sentence for sedition, but the Diez de Octubre Municipal People's Court ultimately sentenced him to nine years, later reduced to five years of corrective labor with internment.
In November 2022, Marco Antonio managed to escape while on a prison furlough and remained in hiding within Cuba. Months later, he attempted a maritime journey to the United States, but his vessel was intercepted, and he ended up in the Bahamas.
Upon learning he would be deported back to Cuba, he managed to flee a detention center in Nassau, living in hiding for about a month before authorities recaptured him.
He received an eight-month prison sentence in the Bahamas. His lawyer filed for political asylum with Bahamian authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, but the request was denied.
On February 2, 2024, the Bahamas deported him back to Cuba. Initially taken to Villa Marista—State Security headquarters in Havana—he now remains at the Combinado del Este prison, as noted by Cubalex records.
Maria Isabel recounts how the regime not only deprived her of her job but also subjected her to threatening phone calls at all hours of the night.
"They fired me. They called every five minutes with threats: 'We'll catch him, we'll torture him, we know where he is,' and they wouldn't let me sleep, they wouldn't let me live," she declared.
When she saw her son at Villa Marista after two years of no contact, authorities prevented her from touching him. "They wouldn't let me hug him after two years. They said, 'Just look at him, don't touch him, don't hug him,'" she recounted. "I suffered a lot, but I didn't shed a tear. I stayed strong."
The most severe retaliation, she claims, is directed at Marco Antonio: agents warn him that if his mother speaks out publicly, "it will be worse for you."
"Since my son was imprisoned, I haven't had peace or tranquility. Emotionally, I'm not the same person," Maria Isabel admitted.
The case is part of the "Women Who Uphold the Struggle" campaign by Justicia 11J, marking the fifth anniversary of 11J, documenting 389 acts of repression against 106 women related to political prisoners from July 2021 to October 2026.
On Thursday, Justicia 11J and other organizations sent an open letter to the Federation of Cuban Women, demanding they speak against these reprisals and recognize the documented practices—such as forced nudity and sexual coercion against prisoners' families—as gender violence.
"Mothers seeking justice should not be punished for doing so. Their voices deserve protection and acknowledgment as well," stated Justicia 11J.
Frequently Asked Questions About Political Repression in Cuba
What is the "Women Who Uphold the Struggle" campaign?
The "Women Who Uphold the Struggle" campaign is an initiative by Justicia 11J that documents and raises awareness about the repression faced by women related to political prisoners in Cuba, particularly since the 11J protests.
Why was Marco Antonio Alfonso Breto imprisoned?
Marco Antonio was imprisoned for his alleged participation in the protests following the 11J demonstration. He was initially sentenced to nine years, later reduced to five years of corrective labor with internment.
How has the Cuban government responded to protests?
The Cuban government has responded to protests with arrests, imprisonment, and reported harassment of activists and their families, as seen in the case of Marco Antonio and his mother.