Wife of Juan Carlos González Leiva (incarcerated without trial since March 4, 2002)
From March 4, 2002, Maritza Calderín Columbié, has been denouncing the case of her husband Juan Carlos González Leiva and of nine other human rights activists who were arrested on that date. They were peacefully protesting in front of a hospital in Ciego de Avila against the beating given to the independent journalist Jesús Álvarez Castillo by officials of the Ministry of the Interior. They have been jailed for over a year without trial.
Maritza Calderín Columbié, resident of Honorato del Castillo #154, between República y Cuba Streets, Ciego de Avila, Cuba (tel: + 53 33 22235) is being watched and has been victim of constant intimidation by government officials in the Province of Holguín . She has been threatened with the possible application of Law # 88, -- the so-called “Muzzle Law” – for “informing the enemy.”
In a telephone conversation from her house in Ciego de Avila, on June 19, 2003, Maritza Calderín said:
“Cuban authorities send me word to ‘shut up, to stop talking’ with somebody that they had arrested for a short time.
I will not shut up, I will never shut up. Because, as a Christian, I can not support infamy and falsehood You can make use of my voice and of my words wherever you want, knowing that I am not only talking on behalf of Juan Carlos whom I love with all my heart, but also on behalf of the dignity of all of us Cubans.
We are living under en evil regime, capable of deceit and constantly spreading lies against people who they know have dignity as high as the sun itself.”
Return to Families of Political Prisoners
SEE ALSO: Harrassment of Juan Carlos González Leiva by "acts of repudiation."