| SUMMARY |
The parents, spouses, children, brothers and sisters and other relatives of political prisoners have suffered countless privations, harassment by police, humiliations by callous prison authorities, extra vigilance by the local “Committees for the Defense of the Revolution” and estrangement from fearful coworkers and neighbors who eschew them worried to be “contaminated” by the prisoner.
The families of political prisoners have squirreled away portions from their meager monthly rations to take to their prisoners and have traveled hundred of miles for the periodic visits (sometimes to be denied the visit when they get there). At the same time, they have tried to keep a semblance of normality for the rest of the family, particularly when children were involved.
The unflinching loyalty to their kin and outright valor of these civilians -- sometimes very advanced in years -- has largely remain undocumented because the spotlight falls on the prisoner. Some of their stories are presented below.
| TESTIMONIES |
|
Raisa Lora Gaquín |
Widow of Marcelo Diosdado Amelo Rodríguez
|
ENTER |
| Maritza Calderín Columbié |
Wife of Juan Carlos González Leiva
|
ENTER |
Clara Chepe Núñez |
Mother of Oscar Espinosa Chepe
|
ENTER |
Yolanda Huerga Cedeño |
Wife of Manuel Vazquez Portal
|
ENTER |
Gloria Amaya González |
Mother of Miguel, Ariel and Guido Sigler Amaya
|
ENTER |
Juana María Agudo |
A visit to father, jailed in the Isle of Pines
|