How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
[…] Dedé and Mamá came back from the capital with the "good news" that the girls' names, along with those of the men and my Nelson, had appeared on the latest list of three hundred and seventy-two detained. oh, how relieved we were! As long as the SIM admitted they were in custody, our prisoners stood less of a chance of being disappeared. (3.10.56)
The SIM (Military Intelligence Service) is notorious for "disappearing" prisoners, which basically means kidnapping/arresting them, never charging them with any crimes, and killing them and disposing of their bodies without telling their families. Strangely enough, it's good news that they admit to having the girls in prison.
Quote #8
We're in Cell #61, Pavilion A, La Victoria—Dulce, Miriam, Violeta, Asela, Delia, Sina, Minerva, and me. Please notify their families. We are well but dying for news of home and the children. Please send Trinalin as we are all down with a bad grippe & Lomotil for the obvious. Any food that keeps. Many kisses to all but especially to my little darling. (3.10.89)
Mate writes a secret note from prison, passed through her father's second family, and it becomes clear that, in a confinement situation, the most basic needs become essential. All the girls ask for is medicine and food, and human connection to their loved ones. It's life at its barest.
Quote #9
Suddenly it all came out, along with the tears. How I had read in the papers about El Jefe excusing minors, how my boy had just turned eighteen in prison, how I wondered if there was anything at all Peña could do to get my boy pardoned. (3.10.154)
Part of El Jefe's power play was to imprison and pardon people on a whim. Patria's goal in life is to protect her son, Nelson, and she is willing to do anything to win his freedom, even beg her enemy Captain Peña, who has treated her family terribly and taken away everyone she loves.