Speaker 1: Hey, podcast listeners, just a heads up. This episode contained
Speaker 1: some intense material, including references to severe violence, some of
Speaker 1: which might not be appropriate for children. Please take care
Speaker 1: while listening. From executive producers Daniel Ramidez and myself Eva Longoria,
Speaker 1: The Sisters of the Underground tells the powerful story of
Speaker 1: the middle of our sisters, real life Latina's who sacrificed
Speaker 1: everything for the fight for freedom. In nineteen fifty nine,
Speaker 1: an expedition of fifty four armed men who had been
Speaker 1: trained in Kuba landed in the mountains of Constanza Whey
Speaker 1: to fight alongside Mommy and Poppy against the regime. But
Speaker 1: they never got the chance. Before they could even get
Speaker 1: off the plane through He's men who were on them, Kanyo,
Speaker 1: our military is on our left. Prepare your were button
Speaker 1: and if I stop, we're done for soldiers. You gotta
Speaker 1: jump on hunt. If you still turn cop it, we'll
Speaker 1: divide into fruit support. Let's move go golf, golf, follow
Speaker 1: for the hills. Everyone got almost everyone escaped into the mountains,
Speaker 1: though barely only four combatants were caught, but the military
Speaker 1: knew that there were others, and through heat you order
Speaker 1: a systematic hunt in that area. Commanding his men to
Speaker 1: leave no one alive. They even dropped bombs in the area.
Speaker 1: Constanza was turned into an apocalyptic sea God. Residents were
Speaker 1: promised money in exchange for revealing the locations of any
Speaker 1: Garia fighter, and at this time the regime was primed
Speaker 1: to anticipate any move by the revolutionaries. Five days after
Speaker 1: this first attempt, another expedition arrived by sea. This group
Speaker 1: was practically annihilated to just before landing in my Mond
Speaker 1: yesterday own their boats were sunk by Trudo's air force.
Speaker 1: One hundred and forty four members of the expeditionary force
Speaker 1: were killed. It was a devastating loss for the opposition,
Speaker 1: but this setback would only make other movements grow. One
Speaker 1: group that San Diego pamphleteers, rageously handed out flyers and
Speaker 1: posted notices flyers. They even stage the risky event at
Speaker 1: the San Diego Cemetery. Hey take this, what is it?
Speaker 1: A revolution? Here to read? Let me see long live
Speaker 1: the revolution, down with the tyrant, freedom or death? Now
Speaker 1: this side and help me share this message. Sorry for
Speaker 1: the expression, but through is a piece of ship. Wow,
Speaker 1: you guys are brave, but I absolutely agree thr is
Speaker 1: a piece of ship. Things were shaping up for us
Speaker 1: and through ju he was going through a rough back.
Speaker 1: He knew that he could be the next Baptista, but
Speaker 1: he was not going to surrender easily. He had always
Speaker 1: been paranoid, but not the paranoia was in embedded in
Speaker 1: the government. In seven he created his own version of
Speaker 1: the Gestapo. Said we shouldn't tell hinds emilita or commonising
Speaker 1: the same. It was a police and military apparatus that
Speaker 1: practiced persecution, torture and murder both inside and outside the country.
Speaker 1: Johnny Harvis, a ruthless and cold blooded man who was
Speaker 1: the head of the SIM We got all of that
Speaker 1: selling Santiago. It was a group of young community students.
Speaker 1: Here's the pamphlet that were distributing true Here is a
Speaker 1: piece of ship. I think that we can call this
Speaker 1: a direct provocation and threat toward governments and laws. One
Speaker 1: came to find this as an atop treason. I say,
Speaker 1: it's also a direct provocation and threat to my safety.
Speaker 1: My piece of line. Round them all up, already done.
Speaker 1: They're on the way to La Guarenta. The electric chair
Speaker 1: is just sitting patiently for them. Good. Make sure the
Speaker 1: last words include recantation. And high prices. For they're heavy.
Speaker 1: We would say that it's heavy. You know, the revolution
Speaker 1: in Googa is struggling. More and more communists are surfacing
Speaker 1: here thinking they can succeed in toppling me. We need
Speaker 1: to get Castro taking down. That would send a loud
Speaker 1: message to the Vision and all the service. Taking out
Speaker 1: Castro will sent a signal. But we have more important
Speaker 1: problems here that must be addressed. We need more men
Speaker 1: in the streets. I don't care who is involved or how,
Speaker 1: but we need eyes and ears all over the country.
Speaker 1: And let it be known. I trust no one. I
Speaker 1: have no qualms about putting my own family six ft
Speaker 1: under if there is the slightest suspicion that they were
Speaker 1: acting against me, you can't throws me. I'm more than family,
Speaker 1: am I'm like a loyal dog at your service. Good
Speaker 1: keep me in form, will do. Johnny As made good
Speaker 1: on his promise that Santiago pamphleteers were horribly tortured, and
Speaker 1: twenty seven of them were executed in the capital on January.
Speaker 1: But their actions under deaths were not in vain. No,
Speaker 1: We're putting they made the group headed by Mommy Bobby
Speaker 1: even more determined and five days after the executions, when
Speaker 1: they held a meeting with all other followers at Charlie
Speaker 1: Bogar's think his farmhouse in moun where no one would
Speaker 1: expect to find them. We are here because we will
Speaker 1: fight for our people. We will no longer stand by
Speaker 1: and watch our country be abused and neglected. Our spirit
Speaker 1: is so strong that no one can break it. Now
Speaker 1: our movement needs a new name, though, worthy of the
Speaker 1: spirit that we're living here. What should it be? Any
Speaker 1: ideas I believe in was honor the fallen Curos we've
Speaker 1: just lost. If it wasn't for them, many of us
Speaker 1: would not be here. Each stride taken by a group
Speaker 1: is a step in the right direction for the whole movement.
Speaker 1: Out of respect, we must use their name and their agenda.
Speaker 1: I agree. I agree with you. Let us be. The
Speaker 1: second order of business is to set up the chain
Speaker 1: of command in the group. We need a president, a secretary,
Speaker 1: a treasure and a spokesperson. I can be the secretary.
Speaker 1: It's the kind of work I've done in the past.
Speaker 1: I think Monolo should be president. I second death, I
Speaker 1: mean that was the one who gathered all of us here.
Speaker 1: I don't know I think that's a better handled by
Speaker 1: a man. Let's look at this subjectively. Of course, we
Speaker 1: never is capable of leading us, But how would it
Speaker 1: make us look in front of the young recruits? Under
Speaker 1: whose leadership would we look more serious? A man or
Speaker 1: a woman. That has nothing to do with whether one
Speaker 1: is a man or a woman. It has to do
Speaker 1: with how well we convey our message and demonstrate our effectiveness.
Speaker 1: I agree with my wife on this. Okay, So how
Speaker 1: about we put this to a vote. Good idea? We
Speaker 1: never do you agree? Like I said, it doesn't matter,
Speaker 1: but okay, sure, all right, And on two three four
Speaker 1: it's eleven votes from anolo our president. Okay, well that
Speaker 1: settles it. Then you're appointed Treasurer Leandro, something familiar to you,
Speaker 1: and you people you've already said you'd act as secretary.
Speaker 1: What's next? Well, first and foremost, we must set our
Speaker 1: goals clearly. Our main objective is the overthrow of this
Speaker 1: tyrannical regime, and that calls for the liquidation of Truigo,
Speaker 1: no matter what the cost. If we succeed, we must
Speaker 1: have fair and free elections. Write that down, people be
Speaker 1: sure to use our code names to no sooner said
Speaker 1: than done, sir, and not just one election, but every
Speaker 1: four years, a real democracy, got it. We need land
Speaker 1: reform badly. I should know. I come from the East
Speaker 1: Side and farmers are living in very depressing conditions. Yeah,
Speaker 1: I agree, very good. Wait wait wait wait wait wait
Speaker 1: oh that's great talk. No no, no, but we must
Speaker 1: also walk the walk. I think we're getting ahead of
Speaker 1: ourselves here. What about our resources? Now? We need guns
Speaker 1: to take down through hell and a plan for organized revolt.
Speaker 1: Without a sling and a stone, we can't take down
Speaker 1: the light. We need weapons, at least revolvers, something we're
Speaker 1: not planning to go down easily. Now, you're right, he's right,
Speaker 1: he's right. We all know where the weapons are, Julio.
Speaker 1: They're in the streets with the people, and there is
Speaker 1: where we should go get them. They're gathering. Is considered
Speaker 1: a milestone in the history of the country. Moving became
Speaker 1: the most successful organization fighting against the radio regime. They
Speaker 1: were able to recruit more people and amass more weapons,
Speaker 1: which we're hitting in Patre's house. This garage is perfect.
Speaker 1: No one know who they are, what will ever suspect
Speaker 1: what we've got here in your house is the perfect
Speaker 1: place to hide them. Here. Let me show you underneath
Speaker 1: the floor. We have a secret home. We can put
Speaker 1: the weapons and the paperworking there. Thank you, Patria. I
Speaker 1: know it's risky for you, but we really do need
Speaker 1: a place. I'm here for you always. We must have
Speaker 1: each other's backs. Math do you have the Christol guns?
Speaker 1: They're lighter, easier for people with training. No, not yet.
Speaker 1: Leandrew is going to get them soon. But I do
Speaker 1: have three revolvers and a couple of Malta bombs. Let's
Speaker 1: put them all in here. Careful with them, allot dogs,
Speaker 1: they're unstable here here, I'll go inside and you can
Speaker 1: hand them down to me. But going against true hire
Speaker 1: you was that? Can't you on task? Johnny Avis kept
Speaker 1: his promise to will have it to fill the streets
Speaker 1: with informants. There were government rats non as Scotties went
Speaker 1: under cover everywhere and reported anybody who opposed the government.
Speaker 1: Once Mommy and her team tried to enlist a very
Speaker 1: influential shaman and even he immediately reported them to the
Speaker 1: sin That day on an official huntdown began, and it
Speaker 1: was only a matter of time before they would get
Speaker 1: to our family. Nobody moved an immediately don't shoot, Please,
Speaker 1: don't shoot. My family is here. I don't want any
Speaker 1: harm down to them. Just take me in. Where are
Speaker 1: you taking? Shut up? You're lucky. We're not taking you too.
Speaker 1: And don't you dare go anywhere you are implicated? Implicated
Speaker 1: and what you can't just take him on a whim.
Speaker 1: It's our right to know? Why? Am I right to
Speaker 1: know where he's going to work? God and getting Alyssimo
Speaker 1: tru Hill decide now get out of my way or
Speaker 1: I'll be forced never. Just let them take me. We'll
Speaker 1: sort this out. Everything will be finding know that man
Speaker 1: or law? I love you doing me there? You're making
Speaker 1: me sick. Let's go. Hey podcast listeners, just a heads up.
Speaker 1: This episode contained some intense material, including references to severe violence,
Speaker 1: some of which might not be appropriate for children. Please
Speaker 1: take care while listening easy as this boss. Days after
Speaker 1: the January meeting, the political persecution hindered the daily operations
Speaker 1: of the group, the men or the brunt of the
Speaker 1: imprisonments and interrogations. Mommy stayed back home on their constant
Speaker 1: surveillance by the sim detention and anxiety were so intense
Speaker 1: that she felt ill. How do you know? I know
Speaker 1: it because she wrote a letter to chair and we
Speaker 1: actually still have it in that box with all the others.
Speaker 1: I see it, see Guidado. It's very delicate, like memories. Mommy.
Speaker 1: Some short time ago, I asked you to borrow money
Speaker 1: from Mahia or from a bank to be paid back
Speaker 1: with a gao harvest. Confided that you were not able
Speaker 1: to get it. As you know, Manolo is detained and
Speaker 1: has to pay his obligations to the bank. I can't
Speaker 1: default on that. Please, I beg you to send me
Speaker 1: three and fifty vessels. Thank you, Love you all, Minerva.
Speaker 1: The money situation was badding off. What we never didn't
Speaker 1: want was the family to know that she was very sick.
Speaker 1: Exhaustion fear from man all safety had brought on too berculosis.
Speaker 1: What's too bad colossis to Berculosis is a sickness in
Speaker 1: your lungs, as if you were drowning. And so because
Speaker 1: of this we went to to No's house to rest.
Speaker 1: Leaving her own home was very difficult, and it wasn't
Speaker 1: long before the agents from sim We're hot knocking onto Nostre.
Speaker 1: I wasn't there that day, and I remember it as
Speaker 1: if we were only yesterday. Are you all right, mommy,
Speaker 1: And you feel so cold. I used to lie next
Speaker 1: to her in bed to keep her company, to keep
Speaker 1: her warm. I'm finding I'll be fine soon. I'm just tired.
Speaker 1: I'm worried about your poppy, and we have so much
Speaker 1: to do. Are you expecting someone? I'll go and see
Speaker 1: who it is. Open up? You got two minutes to
Speaker 1: come out or we're breaking down the door all out?
Speaker 1: How can I help you? We're here looking for Mrs Yes,
Speaker 1: she is here, but she is very ill. We don't care.
Speaker 1: We have orders to take her to see that through Hillo.
Speaker 1: You cannot take her in this state. Can I talk
Speaker 1: to your superior officer please? My superior is at f
Speaker 1: and he wants me Nerva. Now are you gonna let
Speaker 1: me in or not? Yes? Yes, all right? You can
Speaker 1: see for yourselves. Do you see Mrs Mirabile? Get dressed quickly.
Speaker 1: We have orders to take you to the capital city. No,
Speaker 1: my mother is sick. That child is right. It's a
Speaker 1: really bad idea to take her in this condition. Those
Speaker 1: are orders. Let me accompany her at the very least.
Speaker 1: No no, no, no, no no no. Don't ask for
Speaker 1: more favors. If they must take me then let them.
Speaker 1: I don't want to owe them or you anything anymore.
Speaker 1: Are you okay? See me more? I cried a lot
Speaker 1: when that happened, and I could not believe that they
Speaker 1: were dragging my mother out of burying her condition. Thank
Speaker 1: goodness for donal Hady. I really understood my mother's plight
Speaker 1: and the struggle that she was involved in. I was
Speaker 1: never the same. Tru was on a witch hunt. Bobby
Speaker 1: and patria husband Pedro and Diamati's husband Leandrew were all taken.
Speaker 1: Remember the letter that got me started on this story.
Speaker 1: It was written from La Guarinta State prison. How was
Speaker 1: the place where a lot of people are posing through
Speaker 1: hedo wounder? Here she is chief Abers, Tomasa Cabra, get
Speaker 1: off me, take all off her clothes off? No answer me?
Speaker 1: Where you receiving the bombs? Nola? Who recruited you? No one?
Speaker 1: I don't believe you. I said, no one to which
Speaker 1: of them had the balls to the firehead? Oh? Look
Speaker 1: who just arrived? The true ring leader is here, Abbez.
Speaker 1: It is Lucky Dacina. Get the light of heavy We're
Speaker 1: bringing his wife in and make sure he he looks
Speaker 1: and smells his best jobs. Want me let me go.
Speaker 1: Tired of being mauled by you people. I want my family.
Speaker 1: The more you struggle, the harder this will be. Send
Speaker 1: your robbs. This is the other one you wanted. I
Speaker 1: am so sorry that they got Did they hurt you? No? No,
Speaker 1: I'm fine. Welcome. Want to be lawyer and founder of
Speaker 1: a failed movement. We haven't failed, not by a long shot.
Speaker 1: Bit Okay him as shame that communists and Bronze in
Speaker 1: such a beautiful family alone, So I guess we'll have
Speaker 1: to beat it out of them. Chief, We need you
Speaker 1: to write down the names and addresses of your entire
Speaker 1: family and the other members of your so called movement.
Speaker 1: What for'll? Trust me you don't want to make this
Speaker 1: any harder for them or yourself. My husband, okay, what
Speaker 1: have you done with him? I don't think you have
Speaker 1: a husband for much longer, but maybe, if you're lucky,
Speaker 1: one of my guards might want to marry your Sorry
Speaker 1: y as military lackeys and cold blooded killers were never
Speaker 1: my type. What's your mouth? Com take him? No where
Speaker 1: do my question go? Whips chains, electric rocks. But okay, yeah,
Speaker 1: you wanted your husband. He's over there with the rest
Speaker 1: of the garbage. The family reunion. Huh tell us everything
Speaker 1: you know. Your wife'll get our attention out of this. Okay,
Speaker 1: go ahead and help him refresh his memory on the
Speaker 1: electric chair. Just show him how we treat the rats.
Speaker 1: Who goes fire against head? Let it go? Please do?
Speaker 1: Would you like to? Don't know? You'll never break us,
Speaker 1: no matter how hard you tried. Oh, take him gave
Speaker 1: us some answer? No, no, here you go, sweet nightmares.
Speaker 1: A look is that Sina? Oh my god, y amiga,
Speaker 1: what did they do to you? You shouldn't be going
Speaker 1: through this. I'm so so sorry. We knew the risks
Speaker 1: we were taking. We did this because we believed in
Speaker 1: the movement, and still do come close. Were in this together, Younga.
Speaker 1: I am so worried about me now she saw them
Speaker 1: take me. She was frantic. I don't know. Must have
Speaker 1: told the rest of the family would happen. They'll be
Speaker 1: trying to get us out. Did any word? I pull
Speaker 1: some strings, but haven't heard anything. Mama, No, I gives me.
Speaker 1: The calliers took over my house and destroyed everything looking
Speaker 1: for weapons, and now they're following me everywhere I go.
Speaker 1: I don't know what to do. I haven't heard from
Speaker 1: Pedrito Rio. You have to stay over my house with
Speaker 1: the kids, all right? Today, Come on, masses starting, let's
Speaker 1: take her seats and pray for their safety. For many years,
Speaker 1: our government has stripped away essential free ms, freedoms that
Speaker 1: could only flourish when laws are in place to ensure
Speaker 1: the respect and dignity of all. Today we gather here
Speaker 1: to call for the rights of every human being in
Speaker 1: our country. The Church had produced a historic letter denouncing
Speaker 1: the abuse of the dictatorship. It didn't take long for
Speaker 1: tid to deport prespect to Spain and to attack the
Speaker 1: local ones. Join us as we pray to our Holy
Speaker 1: VI for the victims who have unjustly departed and those
Speaker 1: who are awaiting trial. Did you sleep at all? Nothing? No,
Speaker 1: no pegging you, no more eating me alive? I breakfast, lunch,
Speaker 1: at dinner. I need to use the bathroom. Can you
Speaker 1: take me right in front of you? They can, that's right? Wait? Wait?
Speaker 1: Can you bring me the paper? Any news? Please? I'll
Speaker 1: give you money when I leave. Leave. What makes you
Speaker 1: think you'll be living here alive? Poor fab That food
Speaker 1: smells revolting? What is it? I don't know, but I'm sorry.
Speaker 1: I know, I know. I don't think I can eat that.
Speaker 1: I think I'm gonna be sick. Stay strong, sister. If
Speaker 1: we don't eat, we'll die, and we need to stay
Speaker 1: alive to keep fighting. I know I need to see
Speaker 1: my dabydro again here I haven't Dear, help me with
Speaker 1: this bucket handle? What are you doing using it as
Speaker 1: a pen to keep track of how many days have
Speaker 1: gone by? If we don't keep track of time, it
Speaker 1: dissolves and we'll go crazy. Day one, the days crawled
Speaker 1: by each field with darkness, the screens of other prisoners,
Speaker 1: and the unmistakable smell of death. Come with me, don't
Speaker 1: hurt her. It's okay, it's okay. Please just promise me
Speaker 1: you'll take care of each other. We will. Yeah, it's
Speaker 1: only repectacular through Hilo and his crown Is even had
Speaker 1: a colosseum like the ancient Romans, where his special friend
Speaker 1: and even his family were invited to watch interrogations. Habits
Speaker 1: played the host. Please a toast, Vargas, thank you for
Speaker 1: joining us tonight to celebrate another triumphant defeat of communism
Speaker 1: in the land of our benefactor b But to hear
Speaker 1: you heavy, would you like to take a closer look.
Speaker 1: Even in this state, she still looks good. All she
Speaker 1: needed is an aggressive man to dominate her. Weak men
Speaker 1: always think that. And who are you? Some new l
Speaker 1: healfy follower? Who the fund do you think you are?
Speaker 1: You know who I am? Wow, if only your managers
Speaker 1: lived up to your name. Don't worry. I'll take care
Speaker 1: of her. Oh, I see you're going to torture me too.
Speaker 1: Now to entertain your friend here, I'll talk to the
Speaker 1: virgin Mary if I had to, I doubt you Grace,
Speaker 1: a murderer like you with her presence. H you think
Speaker 1: this is a joke? Huh? Who were the others who
Speaker 1: help you recruit members in your region? Your husband wouldn't
Speaker 1: tell us, and you see what it had cost him.
Speaker 1: You know who I am, and you know what I want?
Speaker 1: And my patient is running out if you won't pick up,
Speaker 1: maybe it's trying to get rid of you. I love you,
Speaker 1: I love you, I love him. Oh, you're pathetic. Once
Speaker 1: we did everything we want out of you, we'll see
Speaker 1: you and all of your communist friends to a concentration
Speaker 1: camp and finish you off one by one. Take it
Speaker 1: to solitary sacka Menia gay, get me out of here,
Speaker 1: enjoy the newspaper classes. But there was always an angel somewhere,
Speaker 1: even in the darkest hours. And Alsa morrafil need this
Speaker 1: true has come under scrutiny as priests around the country
Speaker 1: openly tonnounce this regime. My god, it's happening. That dictator
Speaker 1: messed with the wrong women, and very soon he'd get
Speaker 1: a taste of the hell he had created. Okay, that's
Speaker 1: a perfect place to um. Are you ready to go?
Speaker 1: I'm gonna take you out to a nice just you
Speaker 1: and me. Sisters of the Underground is a production of
Speaker 1: School of Humans in conjunction with iHeartMedia's Michael Dura Network
Speaker 1: and Unbelievable Entertainment, with co executive producers Eva Longoria and
Speaker 1: Dania Ramirez, showrunner and director Jose Maria Cabra. The series
Speaker 1: was written by Jose Maria Carrall and Mary Castellanos, story
Speaker 1: by Dania Ramirez and Jose Maria. Lead producer and story
Speaker 1: editor Julia Chrisco Associate producer and first a d Andrew Harmon,
Speaker 1: Production manager Daisy Church, script supervisor Sarah Montague, recording engineer
Speaker 1: Clay Hillenburg, post production supervisor Jeremy Gilbertson at Tune Welders
Speaker 1: in Atlanta. Sound design, mixing and mastering by Harper W. Harris,
Speaker 1: Assembly editing by Leam Marie Puffenberger. Jason Shannon composed her score.
Speaker 1: Music editor Spenser Willis. Music licensing by Serio Marte, Lorenzo
Speaker 1: Louds at Pixing Music and Natalie Brady at Texture Music Marketing,
Speaker 1: and designed by Jasmine Mahia and Claudia Marti Corena. Our
Speaker 1: Incredible cast includes Dania Ramirez as Mino Tavares Miraval, our narrator,
Speaker 1: Judy Reges as Minerva Miraval, Jane Santos as Miraval, selinezt
Speaker 1: Ribio as Miraval, Cha Lin Taule as Maria Theresa Miraval
Speaker 1: Acariendo es Patrio Miraval, Serio Carlo as Manolo Tavaris, and
Speaker 1: the radio announcer Hemki Malera as Trujillo, Ector, Anibal as
Speaker 1: Joony ABIs, Carila Stein as Adela. Additional cast includes juan Ja,
Speaker 1: Alex Blynn Ward, Jacqueline Calon, Vido, Michael Uribs, Silvio Martine's,
Speaker 1: Bryan Barrija, Darius de la Cruz, Marco Barra, and Daniel Luhan.
Speaker 1: Additional executive producers include Poss, Maria Cabral, Mary Castellanos, Gessel Bonces,
Speaker 1: Virginia Prescott, L. C. Crowley, and Brandon Bark. Special thanks
Speaker 1: to Doug Boum and abou so Far at I Heart Media.
Speaker 1: Special thanks to Mino Tavaris, mirable daughter of Minerva and Manolo,
Speaker 1: who is a politician and activist in the Dominican Republic.
Speaker 1: She also published the book of letters that we quote
Speaker 1: throughout the series. It's called Manana Escrivio Travis. Check out
Speaker 1: our show notes for more details. If you enjoy the podcast,
Speaker 1: help us get the word out by leaving a review
Speaker 1: on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. It really helps.
Speaker 1: Thanks School of Humans