PEN International chooses María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez as its face for March 8th

Photo by PEN International: María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez,

MIAMI, United States. (Cubanet) – The world association of writers PEN International

She chose Cuban poet, storyteller and political prisoner María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez, imprisoned in Cuba for participating in the historic anti-government protests of July 11, 2021, as her image for International Women's Day .

Garrido Rodríguez was sentenced to seven years in prison on March 10, 2022, on charges of “public disorder”, “aggression”, “incitement to commit a crime”, “contempt” and “resistance”.

The poet and activist was arrested on July 12, 2021 for participating, along with her sister and thousands of Cubans, in the peaceful protests of July 11 against the repression of their fundamental rights, including the government's handling of the crisis caused by COVID-19.

Since her arrest, Garrido Rodríguez has been subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, including solitary confinement, beatings, denial of food and water, and inadequate sanitary conditions. She has also been denied access to family visits and phone calls.

This March 8, PEN International also recalls that the activist has been subjected to torture and mistreatment by the Cuban political police, which has been denounced by several international organizations.

In a letter from prison in December 2021, Garrido Rodríguez spoke of her pride in having participated in the July 11, 2021 protests and denounced the horrors suffered by those imprisoned in Cuba. She also stated that State Security punishes her for every letter she writes.

Along with her sister Angélica, Garrido Rodríguez began a five-day hunger strike on September 20, 2022, to protest her sentencing and detention. According to family members, Cuban authorities relied on false testimony from police officers and other witnesses during her trial in January 2022.

María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez is a member of the Cuban Women's Network, where she supports the visibility of women in various spheres, and of other activist networks such as the Vuelta Abajo por Cuba Foundation and the Latin American Federation of Rural Women. She is the author of * Examen de tiempo* (Examination of Time ), published in 2022, and was awarded First Prize in the Carlos Baliño National Tobacco Competition in 2008. Much of her work has been confiscated by the Cuban state from her home in Quivicán.

In light of this situation, PEN International called on Cuban authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Garrido Rodríguez and drop all charges against him. It also called for the release of all writers and artists unjustly imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression and artistic expression.

Note: María Cristina Garrido Rodríguez is the National Executive Director of the Republican Party of Cuba.