See You Later, Reina Luisa! / Iván García

Until the last minute, I was hoping to interview you before your final departure from the country. On several occasions I tried to travel to your town and couldn’t, for reasons beyond my control. Once I talked to you over the phone but the conversation was not as deep as I would have liked.

I’m left with the satisfaction that you were always within reach, I wrote about you and your son. The last time, the day Zapata died. In my blog is the testimony of martyrdom during the seven years Zapata spent in prison.

You are leaving the island sheltered by close relatives. At your age, one might think you’re going to enjoy some peace, that you have not had since Orlando was arrested in March 2003. You are an ordinary Cuban, but not ordinary at all. And from exile, your voice will continue to be heard, as though you were there in your beloved Banes.

Hopefully the ashes that you are now taking to Miami will not be too long delayed in returning to Cuba, which is and will always be the home of Orlando Zapata Tamayo and all Cubans!

June 9 2011