Cuban Journalist Cary Roque Dies in Miami

September 22, 2023

Former political prisoner and Cuban journalist Cary Roque died on Wednesday, September 20 in Miami at the age of 82, victim of a long and painful illness and medical complications that arose after a severe fall in her apartment. Roque suffered the serious fall on September 4, which caused her to fracture her hip. During her recovery, she suffered a stroke that left her unable to speak. After that, the former political prisoner decided she did not want to receive assisted feeding.

After spending 16 years in Cuba's prisons, Roque became an icon of political imprisonment for women on the island, having been tried as a terrorist when she was only 19 years old and sentenced to two decades in prison.

She was released in 1977 through an agreement between American president Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro, and after that she left the nation along with hundreds of other political prisoners.

"In exile in Miami, Cary Roque's face was distinguished by tireless struggles against the Cuban government and support for causes that from South Florida sought the freedom of Cubans."

"The journalism studies she pursued at the Escuela Nacional Marques Sterling in Cuba, and her time working as a radio and television broadcaster and actress gave her the experience and authority to legitimize herself as a voice of rigor in Cuban exile where she constantly appeared in the press," added Telemundo.

Meanwhile, it noted that "until her last day, Caridad Roque spoke to Cubans through the microphones of Radio Martí. She will always be remembered as a fervent defender of Cuba's freedom, an effort that led her to participate in international forums and actively collaborate with patriotic organizations."