Sissi Abascal's Arrival in Miami: A Grateful Acknowledgment to the State Department

Sissi Abascal Zamora, recognized as the youngest member of Cuba's Ladies in White, shared her initial thoughts upon arriving in Miami after spending nearly four and a half years incarcerated. She provided insight into how the Cuban regime orchestrated her forced exile.

At 27, Abascal touched down in Miami on Wednesday, accompanied by her mother, Annia Zamora—also a Lady in White and an activist—and other family members. Their release was orchestrated by the Legal Rescue Foundation, led by activist and entrepreneur Santiago Álvarez from Miami, through a humanitarian visa issued by the U.S. State Department.

In her first remarks, Abascal recounted that she became aware of the opportunity to leave Cuba in October 2025 when State Security suggested exile due to health reasons. "I learned about it through my family back in October. State Security had already proposed it due to health issues. I agreed," she stated.

The regime presented a condition: her mother had to exit Cuba first. "They told me that my mom had to be the first to leave Cuba. If she didn't, I wouldn't be allowed to leave. My mom did it for me so that I could receive proper medical attention," she explained.

Concerning her health, she mentioned, "I feel good. I need to wait for a doctor's evaluation to confirm if that's truly the case."

Abascal expressed her gratitude for the support received: "Thanks to the State Department, Santiago, and everyone at the Foundation, we are here today."

One of the most poignant moments was when her mother discussed her father, Armando Abascal's decision to remain in Cuba with another son. "It was a very tough decision because... they have been married for many years, it's for their daughters, there's still another son there, but Cici's health comes first. I hope that Cuba's freedom comes soon, and we can reunite the entire Abascal Zamora family again," Annia Zamora shared.

Abascal was detained on November 3, 2021, in Carlos Rojas, Jovellanos, Matanzas province, for her involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests. She was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of contempt, assault, and public disorder.

While imprisoned, she was labeled a "negative inmate" for refusing to participate in mandatory political activities. Authorities denied her requests for a less severe penal regimen at least seven times. In October 2022, she was not allowed to receive warm clothing for sleeping, and on August 28, 2025, she underwent emergency surgery for bartholinitis without her family being notified.

The organization Cubalex described her release as "conditional freedom to exile," a common tactic by the regime to remove dissidents without granting them penal benefits within Cuba.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba expressed pride in aiding her release but acknowledged, "We understand the pain of being forced into exile."

Abascal's release comes as Cuba records 1,260 political prisoners, marking a historic high according to Prisoners Defenders, with 358 incarcerated for their participation in the July 11 protests.