According Marti News, “the three activists from Cuba’s Patriotic Union (UNPACU) that had been held in detention since September 20th for approaching Pope Francis in Cuba’s Plaza of the Revolution, were released on Monday afternoon, but must still face trial for the alleged crimes of public disorder, disrespect and resistance.”
In addition, “although there were many temporary detentions of Cuba’s opposition in the days surrounding and during the pontiff’s visit, the most famous incident was led by Zaqueo Báez Guerrero, Ismael Boris Reñí and María Acón, all activists from UNPACU who approached the Pope to ask for human rights on the island”.
In an interview with Martí, Baez described “how he was helped by a member of the papal guard to approach the pope, which allowed him to speak of the misery in Cuba and repression against the Ladies in White (a fellow human rights group on the island).”
“I knelt there in the street and told one of the guards of the pope: ‘Sir, let me tell Pope Francis this is a dictatorship” and in fluent Spanish he said, “run and tell him.”
To read the full article (Spanish), click here.