What is the importance of mate's braid?

The OAS (Organization of American States) is coming to investigate the political prisoners' situation, and Minerva urges Maria Teresa to share the incident she has written down with the OAS. Rumors spread through the prisoner community that Leandro is accused of being a traitor, and Maria Teresa worries that "The movement is falling apart with all this mistrust and gossip." Meanwhile, Dinorah is bothering the rest of the cellmates even more than usual. When Patria slips Maria Teresa a newspaper clipping reporting that the OAS is actually coming to investigate, she smuggles it out of the visiting room by braiding it into her hair. The guards are nervous that the prisoners might complain, and Maria Teresa feels bad for Santiclo.