Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo, two brothers whose only crime was dreaming of a freer Cuba, are serving six- and eight-year prison sentences, respectively, for their participation in the peaceful 11J protests. Charged with “contempt” and “public disorder,” their sentences are a stark reminder of the Cuban regime’s intolerance toward dissent and its brutal measures to silence calls for change.
Psychological torture further intensifies their ordeal. Authorities have placed the brothers in separate prisons—Nadir in Quivicán and Jorge in Canasí—over 100 kilometers apart. Visiting their family in San José de las Lajas is a logistical and emotional nightmare for them both. Reaching Jorge’s prison is particularly arduous, involving a nine-kilometer trek down an unpaved path to a facility lacking essential medical services and denying him conjugal visits.
Since their imprisonment, Jorge and Nadir have endured systemic abuse. They were beaten and tortured upon their arrest, and their family has faced relentless threats. The government has even scheduled their visitation times to overlap, making it nearly impossible for their loved ones to see both brothers.
Despite these harrowing conditions, Jorge and Nadir remain unbroken. Their dignity, faith, and courage shine through, embodying the resilience of a people longing for freedom. Their story is a testament to the high cost of standing up to oppression in Cuba and a rallying cry for the international community to amplify the voices of those unjustly imprisoned.
ALAS had the honor of learning about this Cuban family’s heartbreaking story and sent a small token of solidarity to help alleviate their suffering. We will continue to unite our voices for a democratic Cuba—a Cuba where young people like Jorge and Nadir can determine the future of their nation without risking their lives or enduring cruel treatment and unjust sentences. Justice for Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo—and the many others who languish in Cuban prisons for daring to dream of liberty—is overdue. Their suffering must not be in vain. It’s time to demand accountability and support the families who bear the weight of this cruel repression. We can fight for a Cuba where freedom, dignity, and human rights prevail.
