One of the most emotional ceremonies of the many that systematically take place in the Cuban exile is the presentation of the “Pedro Luis Boitel Freedom Prize”, a prestigious international award that, since 2001, the Cuban Democratic Directorate has awarded annually to whoever who have played a prominent role in the fight for freedom in Cuba.
In the case of rewarding a Cuban opponent, it is not an easy task when there are so many who, inside or outside prisons, give an example of courage and dignity. Therefore, I think it was difficult for the members of the “Hemispheric Front for Freedom” to award the prize this time among so many good candidates.
On this occasion, the iconic Big Five hall was dressed in gala and excitement as it was the setting for the presentation of the Pedro Luis Boitel 2024 freedom prize. The winner, as almost always happens, could not be present, not only because he was inside Cuba, but also in a dark punishment cell of the most rigorous Combinado del Este prison in Havana, Cuba.
The honoree has been imprisoned for more than 25 years with a 30-year sentence. On Saturday, May 18, and within the framework of the celebration of May 20, Independence Day and the Republic of Cuba, a large room packed with political figures from the community, exile leaders and an important representation of former political prisoners and Anti-Castro fighters, as well as young people and other guests, were able to hear the name of Ernesto Borges Pérez, who was applauded and highly applauded as the new recipient of this important recognition.
A crowd with moist eyes, hearts beating with emotion and patriotic satisfaction on their faces thanked the award to that brave Cuban who, in the opinion of many, is one of the most emblematic and rebellious political prisoners of the Cuban prison system.
The ceremony, which began at around 9:00 in the morning and lasted almost two hours, had moments of great emotion. One of them was when that well-known voice of Hispanic radio, Poll Feirs, visibly read with emotion the poem titled “Ernesto” by the intellectual and patriot Julio Estorino, or when another great Cuban poet, the young and famous Cuban protestor musician Jorge KamanKola, delighted us with another beautiful and passionate poem dedicated to the winner.
Another moment that made the hearts of those in attendance flutter was when the venue’s screens showed Raúl Borges, Ernesto’s father, from whom we could all hear the message of pain, concern, but also of pride, honor and, above all, of infinite gratitude for the award to his son.
In the previous edition, the Pedro Luis Boitel freedom prize had been awarded to an important factor in the struggle and sacrifice, to the more than 100 women who are unjustly imprisoned in Cuba for their ideas, an event that was highlighted at the event. . The names of some of those who have received the award in past editions were also mentioned, amidst applause: Ángel Moya Acosta, Juan Carlos González Leiva, Idania Yanes Contreras, Damaris Moya Portieles, veterans Miguel Díaz Bauza, Humberto Eladio Real Suárez, Leoncio Rodríguez Ponce, Francisco Herodes Díaz Echemendía and the martyr Armando Sosa Fortuny, as well as organizations such as the Ladies in White, Opponents for a New Republic, the San Isidro Movement, the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba, among others.
The atmosphere during this last award ceremony was characterized by enthusiasm and the most passionate and long applause. The public felt that by rewarding Ernesto Borges Pérez the effort, sacrifice and fortitude of his person and family were being highlighted, as well as the heroic Cuban political prisoner who, from the most difficult conditions, writes one of the most heroic pages in the titanic fight for freedom: the Cuban political prison, which by the way is one and indivisible.
The iconic image of the delivery of the Pedro Luis Boitel 2024 freedom prize, received in Ernesto’s name by another colossus of the struggle, Orlando Figueroa “Maqueca”, will be forever engraved in the memory of both those present at the ceremony and those that they were able to see it on social networks, contrary to the indifference shown by the press media attending the event, who, consistent with their elitist pose, did not even mention the episode that, in my opinion, was the most important thing about the event. : the delivery of recognition to someone who is not only within Cuba in the most difficult and important scenario of the struggle.
The Pedro Luis Boitel award ceremony this May 18 will be an episode impossible to forget both for the quality and moral stature of the winner and for the patriotic enthusiasm of the event.
