Political Prisoners and the Chalk Circle

In a joint television appearance, a Cuban jurist and a state propagandist demonstrated that the regime does not even know how to act like it is running a country governed by the rule of law. / Cuban Television

14ymedio bigger14ymedio, Yunior García Aguilera, Madrid, January 16, 2025 – The word “all” is one of the most frequently used words in Cuban social media posts these days, a clear reference to political prisoners. Those of us who have been fighting for their release are overcome by a strange feeling, especially since the protests of 11J. The regime has begun to release some of the 553 prisoners it promised the Vatican it would free in exchange for its help in getting Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the U.S. State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. The use of political prisoners as bargaining chips has been common practice when the regime is bartering with its favorite enemy.

Why do I describe it as a strange feeling? First of all, anyone with a shred of humanity would rejoice that so many unjustly incarcerated people might be leaving the hell of Cuban prisons, embracing their families and sleeping in their own beds again. Especially if they should never have been imprisoned in the first place. But walking out of their cells does not mean that they are free. The regime itself has made this quite clear through its spokesperson, Humberto López, and the vice-president of Cuba’s supreme court, Maricela Sosa, who stressed the “benefit of early release.” In other words, this is not an amnesty or a pardon. Once released, the prisoners will still be subject to strict monitoring by the repressive powers-that-be. They could forced back into prison at any time if those who misgovern the country so decide.

Leaving their cells does not mean that they are free. The regime itself has made this quite clear through its spokesperson, Humberto López

In a joint television appearance, López and Sosa demonstrated that the regime does not even know how to pretend it is running a country governed by the rule of law. Ms. Sosa knows all too well that, when it comes to political crimes, the Cuban legal system is a farce. The court’s role has been diminished to that of a paper pusher . The final verdict depends solely and exclusively on what Caesar decides, whether his thumb is pointing up or down. On the other hand, what are we to do? Is this a concession to the pope in honor of the Jubilee? How much of a gesture is it really when they themselves claim to have released more than 10,000 prisoners in the last two years? Did Díaz-Canel suddenly convert to Catholicism and now is in a state of ecstasy over the Jubilee? Is it payment in kind for acting as intermediary with the White House? Is it intended as a farewell kiss to Mr. Biden? Or is it something that was due to happen, based on current legislation, long ago? The quagmire that Humberto and Maricela got themselves into is reminiscent of a bad comedy-drama.

Obviously, there are more uncertainties than solid answers. We will have to wait to find out the names of the 553 former prisoners. We will also have to wait and see what the Trump administration does about taking Cuba off the notorious terrorism list. Expectations are that it will be Marco Rubio, even more than Trump, who will take the lead on any decisions having to do with the island. One of the few certainties is that Cuban civil society is completely excluded from this process.

There are several reasons why decisions that affect us are made behind our backs

There are several reasons why decisions that affect us are made behind our backs. For one thing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage in any kind of activism within the country, much less full-on opposition. The harsh persecution to which independent opinion makers are subjected in Cuba prevents not only the necessary debate but even simple expression in a public forum or in social media. How can a gagged, impoverished, tightly monitored and constantly threatened civil society empower itself?

Meanwhile, divisions within the exile community continue, as do clashes of ego and unfounded suspicions stoked by Cuban State Security agencies. In Miami, which continues serve as the exiles’ unofficial capital, political polarization has dampened the interest of the United State’s two major political parties in winning the Cuban vote. When partisan differences become so obvious, the ability to attract interest, or to influence decisions, is suddenly lost. Some will think this sounds all too much like teenage love affairs. But politics is not very different from youthful passions, especially in times when emotion reemerges as a potent political weapon.

As for the Cuban diaspora, it is clear that we are fragmented, dispersed, disconnected and powerless to influence the governments of the countries where we find ourselves living.

When Cardinal Beniamino Stella visited Havana in 2023, the papal envoy expressed his intention to negotiate the release of political prisoners. He noted that “those who have to power to talk among themselves should to be able to listen to others.” The key phrase was “those who have power.” The sad truth is that, today, neither the opposition nor civil society in general have enough power to be heard, neither by one nor the other. And that is a fatal flaw.

We are fragmented, dispersed, disconnected and powerless to influence the governments of the countries where we find ourselves living

Crying and complaining will not serve us well. We must roll up our sleeves. Above all, we must put aside our petty differences and focus on the task at hand, the most urgent being to empower ourselves. That means being able to mobilize Cuban society, consolidate leadership, and ensure that our leaders are heard at the highest levels internationally. And not just so world leaders can feel sorry for us. Victimhood always makes for fleeting, inconsequential news. We need to demonstrate to world leaders that we have the potential to change things. It is about consolidating alliances and drawing up firm strategies with international decision-makers. We should be significant enough so that no one rushes in to make decisions that impact us without consulting us first. However, in order for our cause make it onto international agendas, we must first come up with a clear agenda of our own. It should not be one full of sloganeering and shouting. Rather, it should be one that has been carefully agreed upon, with a clear roadmap and concise strategies.

I have saved for last the questions that most concern me at the moment. What will happen to the other five-hundred political prisoners who will not be receiving this “benefit”? How long will they remain in this unjust, inhuman situation? Until the next Jubilee? Will they be the card that the regime is saving for its showdown with Marco Rubio? Will the regime lock up another thousand Cubans next year in order to do another swap? Will we keep going around in circles?
____________

COLLABORATE WITH OUR WORKThe 14ymedio team is committed to practicing serious journalism that reflects Cuba’s reality in all its depth. Thank you for joining us on this long journey. We invite you to continue supporting us by becoming a member of 14ymedio now. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.