Marcos’s story: I am proud and grateful to Canada

“I love Canada and I want to live here for the rest of my life”, says Marcos Garcia Hernandez, who came to Canada directly from jail after being a political prisoner in Cuba for eight years. Although he had the choice – and intention – of moving from Canada to another country, something changed his mind and he decided to stay and become a Canadian citizen.

When he was very young, Marcos lived in Cuba where the Communist Party had limited people’s access to information and had isolated them from the rest of the world. Marcos believed in Fidel Castro’s speeches and the ideology of the Party. However, his faith was shaken when he became a sailor, started travelling around the world and his horizon widened..

The young sailor started to openly express his new beliefs and denounce the country’s social and political situation. However, the authorities soon heard about Marcos’s behaviour, and he was arrested. Accusing Marcos of sabotage and spreading American propaganda, the prosecutor suggested a 34-year prison sentence. “Thirty-four years as a political prisoner in a Cuban jail is equal to capital punishment,” Marcos says. While in jail, his morale fell as he was only allowed to have family visits once or twice a year. His family felt the effects of his incarceration too.

In 1998, Marco was freed after the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba during which the Pope called for the release of the political prisoners. Some of the 300 released prisoners, including Marco, had to accept exile in Canada. In April 1998, the exiles arrived in Toronto and were welcomed by the Mennonite New Life Centre – the agency selected to assist the group in getting settled in the city.

From Canada, Marco could have moved to another country. “My case had become known in the political world,” Marcos said, “and I received invitations from heads of several countries, even from Bill Clinton. So when I arrived to Canada, I didn’t think I would stay here.” However, Marcos soon changed his mind.

“One morning I was walking in the streets,” Marco says, “and I saw some five-, six- and seven-year-old children going to school – unattended by their parents! I have travelled to so many countries and everywhere parents bring their children to school. And I said to myself, ‘Canada is so safe and peaceful and free – it is a great place to live!’ That was the moment I decided to stay. I never regretted this decision. Maybe nowadays the situation in Canada is a little different from what it was – I know that there are problems – but these problems are small compared to the issues in other countries I have visited. I follow the news and I still think that Canada is the best place to live.”

“I was born in Cuba, but I am Canadian now,” Marcos says. “I am proud and grateful to Canada for accepting me and allowing me to live like a Canadian.”

Lucy Slavianska

* This article was first published on MNLCT‘s blog and has been republished with permission.