WIFE OF DENTIST, PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE IN CUBA, MAKES A DESPERATE APPEAL ON BEHALF OF HER ILL HUSBAND

WIFE OF DENTIST, PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE IN CUBA, MAKES A DESPERATE
APPEAL ON BEHALF OF HER ILL HUSBAND

4 de Febrero, 2006

My name is Rebeca Rodríguez Souto, wife of Cuban prisoner of conscience,
Dr. Alfredo Manuel Pulido López, condemned by the Cuban government to
serve a 14-year prison sentence during the wave of repression of 2003.
After my visit to the Prison of Kilo 7 in the province of Camaguey on
January 31, 2006, I feel desperate as I witness my husband’s ill health
worsen with time. The numerous ailments he contracted in prison are
wasting him away, such as the severe migraines that prevent him from
reading and writing.

My husband informed me that he feels very sick and that he is weary of
the constant and numerous lies he is told by the prison authorities who
have been well aware of his ill health for a long time. Dr. Pulido is
also very concerned about the health of other political prisoners, who
are also very ill. These prison administrators told me during this last
visit that my
husband was not in a condition to be released under the category of
“medical
parole”, as I requested, since his medical problems could be treated
satisfactorily in prison.

These officials at the penitentiary allege that my husband is
“incompatible” with the prison environment he is in. Of course, no one
unjustly imprisoned for defending something as beautiful and honorable
as human rights, is well suited to coexist in a hostile environment with
common prisoners.

We, the family members of the Cuban political prisoners, survive
economically thanks to the support of individuals and organizations
abroad. We have no other means of subsistence. This help is primarily
used to feed our loved ones in prison. It is a literal “nightmare” to
try and save the necessary amount of money that makes possible the
purchase of food supplies
we take to our political prisoners. Many times the money available is
not enough and, for example, as of today February 4, our family only has
20 Cuban pesos left until the end of this month. There will not be
enough money to supply my husband with food on his next prison visit.

Dr. Pulido has not abandoned his ideals. He told me he has not lost
faith because he knows that there are good people, in Cuba and abroad,
who are advocating his release and the release of all Cuban political
prisoners. According to my husband:“something must happen for the good
of all.”

I denounce the critical state of health my husband is suffering, and I
urgently request worldwide solidarity. The Biggest Fear of Any Political
Prisoner Is Falling into Oblivion.

Illnesses Dr. Pulido Is Suffering in Prison: Osteoporosis of the
Cervical Spine, Visual and Dental disturbances, Unstable Blood Pressure,
Bleeding Hemorrhoids, Weight loss (20 pounds), Insomnia, Hepatic
Disorders, Hypoglycemia. He has chronic and recurrent Migraines, so
strong, he is unable to read and write.

Rebeca Rodriguez Souto - Address: Palomino #445, entre Línea y Primera,
Repto. La Mascota, Camaguey, Cuba.

Tel: + 53-32-25-35-91

Information obtained via telephone from Cuba. Recorded, transcribed and
translated to English. Coalition of Cuban-American Women/LAIDA CARRO/

Tel: 305-662-5947 Fax: 305- 740-7323 Email: Joseito76@aol.com

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