Category: Antunez – Jorge Luis Garcia Perez

We Ask for a Home for Newborn Twins Mario Alejandro and Maria Alajandra Lara Alfonso / Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez

As with the campaigns, “Return Yili to his Father”, “Save Ariel”, “Do Not Let Mario Alberto Perez Aguilera Die”, “For Dignified and Decent Housing for all Cubans”, “Do Not Let Orlando Zapata Die”; again, the Rosa Parks Movement as a part of the Central Opposition Coalition, and the Front sensitized to the pain and suffering of others, has launched a new campaign to pressure the Castro regime into providing the young mother, Lara Yaima Alfonso, and her newborns with a roof over their heads and a living commensurate with their situation and needs. Presently, the 28 year old Yaima, is living in the maternal room of the Placetas General Hospital, where just a few hours after giving birth to these innocent creatures, the mother refuses to leave until they have a place to live, but she may be thrown into the street at any time.

The suffering of this Cuban mother strengthened to the harsh reality of not having a crib, diapers, bottles nor basket; and the cruel rejection of his parents due to his homosexual condition, another achievement of the Castro revolution fragmenting families over differences in political, sexual (orientation) of whatever type.

Yesterday, several of his relatives certainly did not see much as they arrived at the hospital with a fan and a succulent lunch, in exchange for staying away from “Human Rights people.”

“If you don’t turn away from them we’ll take everything and not come any more”

“Fine, that take it now, because I’m not going to turn away from these people, not now and not when my problem is resolved, because they are the only ones who really helped me.” Such was the brave and honourable response to a family sent and manipulated by the political police.

And indeed they returned with the lunch that they had taken to her, as they also removed the fan that the patient needed, but thank God and the women of Rosa Parks, Yaima is having lunch every day and enjoying a fan.

As we see again the human insensitivity of the political police, far from solving the problem of the needy, they respond with harassment and threats such as brandishing the name of Idel Morfi Gonzalez*, also known as “Railroad Nail”: “If you are still dealing with those people of human rights, you are not getting a home and may go to prison from here.”

The case of Yaima and her little innocent creatures are the reflex of the mentality of hatred of a regime which must be called a reflection to you, dear reader, wherever you go raise your voice as a form to put pressure on the Castro dictatorship so that he gives a home to Yaima and her children.

Translated by: Hank Hardisty

February 16 2012

Tracey Eaton’s Interview with Jorge Luis García Pérez, known as Antunez

Posted February 2012 — This video is 19 minutes long.

The blog posts of Jorge Luis García Pérez, known as Antunez, can be read here.

Tracey Eaton, a Florida-based journalist, has been traveling to Cuba for a long time, and more recently has been undertaking a series of interviews with Cubans ranging all across the ideological spectrum. He has now begun the work of subtitling these videos in English.

Here are links to Tracey’s blogs/sites: Along the Malecon; Cuba Money Project; Videos on Cuba Money Project; Video Transcripts; Along the Malecon News Updates.

Gladys Finally Has Her House / Antunez


It’s hard to believe that we are seeing Gladys go in and out of her very small, but homey house, on the outskirts of Belico en Placetas, right in front of the slaughterhouse and less than 50 meters from the Casallas Park.

It wasn’t long ago that her home was a warehouse for livestock and what sustained her was the trash contained in a nearby trash bin. Yesterday, she ate what she found in the trash bin and dressed her and her daughter from what she found there. Today, this black Cuban woman and her small daughter — who were abandoned, by a regime that she served faithfully as a prison official, as a veteran of the Angola wars and in various tours in the Communist military — thanks the ladies of the Rosa Parks Feminist Movement for Civil Rights and the Resistance Assembly for her good fortune.

Her daughter breaks our hearts when, seeing us, she comments, “Aunt and Uncle, finally I have a house. Look how they have brought us new clothes and shoes. I have thrown away the ones that I got from the trash bin.”

I am appalled by the rage shown by the repressors and by the security officials when they witness the fortune of this women who did not give in to the pressures and the blackmail of those who visited her who attempted to turn her against the fight for human rights, who insisted to the dictatorship that they solve her situation in 48 hours or they would have to deal with hunger strikes and protests. Within a few minutes of this ultimatum, she was admitted to a hospital and within hours received the keys to her new home.

Nothing else is discussed in Placetas except this incident. Thanks to the folks who support human rights, Gladys Espinosa and her daughter have a place to live. This demonstrates another victory for human solidarity and another example of what can be done.

Translated by Ya Viene Llegando

Official Stupidity from the G 21* / Antunez

When resorting to physical blows, this displays a degree of errors in intelligence and professionalism. Many times, fear makes people lose their wits.

It seems as if this is what happened to officials of the political police. That night, they went to go look for me at the cells of the Aguilera Unit, in the 10th of October municipality. They had arrested me during the morning hours as I was leaving the home of the distinguished civil leader, Eriberto Liranza Romero, where we had just held an important meeting for the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front. In that encounter, activists representing multiple organizations throughout the Western region of the country were present.

“Antunez,” they told me, after identifying themselves as high ranking officials from the popular Section 21, also known as the National Headquarters of the Confrontation Unit, “we are going to talk clearly to you. That Front which you now lead will simply not be permitted in Havana. And I’ll tell you more. Due to activities like the ones you are carrying out, our Revolution has been losing allies that were slowly dropping their hostile positions against us,” and he continued, “And that will simply not be allowed. You are scratching our limit, and at any given moment, the leaders of our Revolution will order your imprisonment.”

“Don’t think for a moment,” the stupid major named Ignacio continued, “that because we are releasing prisoners we will cease condemning counter-revolutionaries.”

I remembered the time when Colonel Tamayo told me, “Antunez, you should know that whenever we unleash another operation, which you all refer to as repressive waves, you will be one of the first to be imprisoned, and with the longest sentence.”

Although the interrogation was ingenuous, it still was very interesting, for it acknowledged that the struggle which irritates them the most is that which is carried out through public protests and actions. They also let me know that the Front has kept them very nervous, and that they do not have the most minimal of desires to cease oppressing any dissenting voices. And that is why we will continue in the streets, because the streets belong to the people, and the government has tried, and continues to try, to steal them from us.

Translator’s note: “G2” is the designation for Cuban State Security, “G21” is specifically the Confrontation Unit.

Translated by Raul G.

January 3 2011

They Returned Yili: Another Victory for the Resistance / Antunez

We received the call precisely when we were concluding the Central Opposition Coalition reunion and were displaying our unconditional support of our leader, Idania Yanez Contreras.

“They released Carlos, but they don’t want to give him back his daughter, Yili.”

“They have to give her back! They’ve made them suffer far too much already,” my wife Yris exclaimed, full of tears and clearly bothered.

“Let’s go to Los Arabos,” Idania and Yris exclaimed in unison.

“What a mess. Now how are we supposed to do this? We barely have the necessary resources for so many of us to go out, and the only one who can transport us in his car only has room for 6. And there are almost 20 of us!”

Everybody wanted to go.

Yirisleidys Alvarez Perez. The young girl was returned to her father, Carlos Alvarez, with those scars and bruises on her face.
Yirisleidys Alvarez Perez. The young girl was returned to her father, Carlos Alvarez, with those scars and bruises on her face.

Alcides, Idania, Yris, Adriano, Columbie, Francisco, and I all hopped into the car, where we were only able to get as far as Santa Clara, for there was a strong police operation underway. Those of us who went were strategically chosen due to our individual representation of the provinces which took part in the event: Matanzas, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, and Villa Clara. Our brother, Tur Valladares from Cienfuegos, could not join us due to health reasons.

Along with the cold which chilled our bones in Santa Clara, we were joined by Guillermo, Frank, and Carlitos. In the railroad terminal for Colon, we were also joined by Joseito and Carlos himself, and we traveled to Colon, where the same police operation was taking place.

They did not want to give him his daughter back until he pulled out his ID Card. This was a condition the father did not accept.

With a hunger strike, along with our support and the support of other compatriots — the Lady in White Alejandrina Garcia, Lazarito, and Cari — there were more than 20 of us in that display of solidarity.

Three hours had not even passed when State Security major Alejandro knocked on the door to tell Carlos to go to Los Arabos to pick up his daughter. Yris, Idania, and Alejandrina all accompanied him, and they were all witnesses of that emotional moment where a desperate father once again embraced his daughter after 4 months of absence and separation. The young child had scars on her face.

That moving scene put an end to the “Return Yili to her Father” campaign, which had been launched by the Rosa Parks Feminist Movement for Civil Rights and counted with the support of many Cubans in and out of the island which joined in solidarity through this unforgettable drama.

That is the Coalition, that is unity, and those are the results. And that is our response to those who, for matters of greed and other grave reasons, never cease to attack us.

Translated by Raul G.

December 28, 2010

11 Titans, 11 Hopes / Antunez

Librado Linares García
Librado Linares García

Librado Linares García, Doctor Oscar Elías Biscet, Ángel Moya Acosta, Diosdado González Marrero, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Iván Hernández Carrillo, Héctor Maceda Gutiérrez, José Daniel Ferrer García, Guido Sigler Amaya and Pedro Argüelles Morán are 11 Cubans who represent much to our country and who are writing—through their dignified stance—one of the most beautiful and courageous pages of these 50+ years of tyranny.

They know what they are exposing themselves to, and they know—through their own experience—what their oppressors are capable of; in fact, their sentences now respond to the huge crime of peacefully defending the rights and freedoms of their compatriots. The regime is presently enraged by them because these men refuse to accept exile as the condition to recover that which is theirs by right: their freedom. The deadline that the dictatorship established—in conversations with Cardinal Ortega—for their release is now long overdue. What will the regime do with them? Only God—and the criminals who keep them jailed—know that. No matter what happens, we remain convinced of two facts: first, that the strength and resolve of these 11 Titans will not be defeated, and, second, that we will not abandon these brothers to their fate, and will strengthen our fight to get them out of Dante’s inferno.

Translated by T

7 February 2011

Obama Loosens and Castro Squeezes / Antunez

The new recently-approved measures from the North unfortunately only point at—albeit with the best of intentions—oxygenating the dying tyranny of Havana, without providing any benefits to the democratic cause in Cuba.

The administration of Mr. Obama must understand that it is not the United States of America that needs to change their policies regarding their relationship to Cuba, but that it is the Castro regime that needs to implement changes and democratic openness, free its prisoners, respect human rights, and also introduce a market economy and allow free enterprise, without setbacks or cosmetic measures.

The Obama administration continues to act, in my opinion, in an erratic manner, avoiding the marrow of the issue. I would like to think that most of those who support these policies have not lost their faith in the main actors of change, that democratic opposition that—both inside and outside Cuba—never ceases in its attempts to accelerate the transition and the practical implementation of true openness.

I would also like it if some radio journalists who gather the opinions of people in Cuba did so in a more balanced way, not limiting to seek the opinions of only those in favor of Obama’s policies, but also of those of us who have a different view. Journalism, except—of course—for the official press, is supposed to inform with transparency and objectivity, and not to please or praise people or interests, no matter how influential or powerful they may seem.

Dear Journalist: If you have any doubts, please ask Radio Martí journalists Juilo Machado and Jorge Jáuregui, and they will surely teach you how to remain friends while being fair, and without renouncing impartial journalism and without the slightest passion.

Translated by T

15 January 2011

CALL TO MARCH: ZAPATA LIVES! / Antunez

February 7 2011

The National Orlando Zapata Tamayo Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front is calling on all activists and members of the Cuban resistance to participate in the “Zapata Lives!” march, which will take place throughout the nation on February 23rd, the one year anniversary of the assassination of political prisoner Orlando Zapata.

Brothers, Sisters, Cubans… this 23rd of February will be the most appropriate moment to declare that we are all resistance, and that Boitel and Zapata live on! Paying homage to this Cuban martyr also means paying homage to all the martyrs Cuba has had during all its years of political imprisonment. In this same manner, by doing this we also accept these martyrs as symbols and guides in the struggle for peaceful changes towards democracy in Cuba.

Compatriots, on this 23rd of February, notify the neighbors of your municipality or city in Cuba that the flame of resistance is now stronger than ever.

Brothers, the name of your movement does not matter, nor does its political affiliation or association. It is the time to unite all of our voices in one demand and to scream wherever we can be heard: Zapata lives on! We are all resistance! The streets belong to the people!

The following signatures belong to the national executives of the The National Orlando Zapata Tamayo Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front.

Eriberto Liranza Romero
Idania Yanez Contreras
Alejandro Tur Valladares
Sarah Martha Fonseca Quevedo
Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina
Adriano Castaneda Meneses
Guillermo Del Sol Perez
Raul Luis Risco Perez
Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina (currenty imprisoned)

Translated by Raul G.

Blas Fortún Martínez: The Best Cuban Opposition Activist (My Personal Opinion) / Antunez

In Cuba, all he has are a sixth grade education and his sixty years of age. Blas Fortún is one of those rare human beings. If a mission is necessary to the East of Cuba, it is Blas Fortún who offers to go.

If something has to be taken to a prisoner, you don’t have to ask him to do it, it’s not important if it’s very cold, if it’s raining, or a hurricane is approaching. If you have to go to a place to protest, march in the streets of Santa Clara, go out to yell “Down With Fidel!”. His health complaints aren’t important to him, even when he hasn’t been able to recover from the cold and then hot cells in which they put him after that arrest in Santiago de Cuba.

It is useless if we beg him to at least drink water during arrests in the cells, from there he’ll get out looking like a skull and won’t beg for mercy, from there he’ll get out, ready for the next action.

Carpenter, mason, repairer of water leaks, painter, electrician, always ready to lend a hand not just to the fellow dissident who needs something, but to anyone, although it might be the first time he’s seen him. In Placetas, many blocks have the mark of this multi-talented Cuban, to whom one will call for a fix or repair of whatever kind. Like we say in good Cuban, “he catches everything himself, and whatever pain he feels is like yours”.

He isn’t well known but this doesn’t bother him, his is to do what his conscience and heart dictate to him. If the opposition hadn’t existed, he would have created it, because this is the most rebellious Cuban I’ve ever met. What he is at home, in the street, in the jails, and during interrogations you have to see as this older man who, without much formal education but with astonishing information, drives his repressors up the wall.

Translated by Raul G.

December 11 2010

Healthy and Patriotic Regrets / Antunez

I’ve lost count of the number of phone calls, text messages and remarks passed on by others, from friends wishing they could have taken part in last Friday’s march. Why didn’t you let us know? Hey, man, we missed it! Tell us next time? These are some of the words and messages I’m hearing over and over.

I don’t know how many times I’ve had to explain that we didn’t have enough time to prepare the action as we’d have liked, or the chance to tell people in other provinces and organizations.

Even the important opposition leader Heriberto Liranza, one of the particpants, said that there wasn’t enough time to coordinate an action on this scale. Sara Marta Fonseca, pillar of the Front, is very upset because at the last minute she had a family matter arise. From Holguín, Marta Díaz and Caridad Caballero complained that they hadn’t been informed in time. We all greed with the leader of the Eastern Democratic Alliance, Rolando Rodríguez Lobaina that, had he been contacted, the East of Cuba would have been rocked by the march.

Let the oppressors get ready! They’ll end up sick of the Front, and its protests in every corner of the country. Let them know this is just the beginning, because in the end they know what’s coming and they can feel it approach. They won’t know what’s hit them! The Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Front for Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience will make them pay a high price for the murder of Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

Translated by: Jack Gibbard

Spanish post

November 18 2010

The Front: A New Nightmare for the General-in-Chief / Antunez

For several months now the forces of repression have suffered the daily nightmare of having to face a new phantom, the “National Civic Resistance and Civil Disobedience Front Orlando Zapata Tamayo”, an initiative born inside Cuba as a result of the need to join forces and take action on a national scale. Inspired by the teachings of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, the members of the Front arrange throughout the country actions of public protest and civil disobedience, which work to awaken the conscience of the citizens and achieve engagement and systematic communication between geographically distant leaders and organizations and above all to demand, with one voice, respect for the human rights of Cubans.

The journalist Raúl Luis Risco Pérez in Pinar del Río; Sara Marta Fonseca Quevedo, Heriberto Liranza Romero, Hermógenes Guerrero Gómez in the capital; Juan Francisco Sigler Amaya and the patriots of the Alternative Option Movement in Matanzas, as well as Francisco Rangel Manzano, Caridad Burunate Gómez and Ernesto Mederos Arozarena; in the southern province of Cienfuegos, Alejandro Tur Valladares and Ricardo Pupo Sierra; Idania Yánes Contreras, Yuniesky García López, Yris Pérez Aguilera, the veteran Blás Augusto Fortún, in Cuba’s most central province; in Sancti Spiritus’ territory Adriano Castañeda Meneses who is one of the most enthusiastic pillars of the Front; in Ciego de Ávila, Julio Columbié Batista, Plinio Cruz Tamayo; in the historic Agramontina territory Virgilio Mantilla Arango, Julio Romero Muñoz, Yoan David González Milanés, Belkys Bárbara Portal Prado among other important leaders honor us with their presence and that of their respective groups in the Front. The eastern part of Cuba tops off our Front with the strength and representation that deserve prestige and among the women Caridad Caballero Batista, Marta Díaz Rondón, Gertrudis Ojeda Suárez and Reina Luisa Tamayo Danger, mother of the martyr Orlando Zapata Tamayo; among the men, what to say about the brothers Néstor and Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina, Cristian Toranzo Fundichely, Raudel Ávila Losada? How do we not feel honored with the militancy of Yordis García Fornier, Enyor Díaz Allen, and other eastern patriots? That is the Front.

Members speak for themselves, with their own voice, and activism is the response to as many questions as may appear.

Translated by: Jack Gibbard

November 18 2010

They Ate It All / Antunez

In the afternoon hours of the 7th of December, the neighbors of the Las Minas neighborhood in Placetas showed themselves to be extremely indignant with the police and State Security.

But this time, ire and indignation did not have anything to do with police brutality against those who, in my house, were founding the Academy of Overcoming and Civic Struggle of the Central Opposition Coalition; but because this time the fleet of uniformed gendarmes who spent the night from its early hours in the hallways of the guarapera deprived the locals of their daily and miserly sustenance, the breads and croquettes that are sold there.

“They’re starving! They didn’t leave even croquettes for us, and those are State Security!”, said a passerby. “What they are is starving gluttons, now they leave with their bellies full and if they’re hungry, in the unit is their hot potato, or they’re going to a tasting or they’ll simply buy one in the shopping“, said another.

“The human rights people are right, these people are sons of b…..s!”, commented in a loud voice an old lady who was coming back from the guarapera with an empty bag, exclaiming “Those are some inconsiderate people! At this hour I always arrive at the guarapera, order two egg sandwiches and ask them to give eggs to me uncooked, and with this bread I take my granddaughter’s afternoon meal to her at school.”

“All those gluttons and abusers are over there!”, was heard being said by a drunk in full delirium. It was summed up by a young man exclaiming and motioning so everyone could see him, “That tool, Major Vega was eating them by the fistful, and that Captain Pedro Perez must be getting over extreme anger, he came from Santa Clara to kill an old hunger, those soldiers ate everything!”, he said, withdrawing before the sarcastic laughter of approval from all who were now close to the famous guarapera of Las Minas in Placetas.

Translated by Raul G.

December 9 2010

We Are Not Going to Discuss the Subject / Antunez

The subject of suppressing or maintaining restrictions of short trips to Cuba isn’t even going to be discussed. I imagine how, in the first place, the bankers and businessmen must feel who are rubbing their hands together to destroy our resources and widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots, from those who receive and those who cannot receive.

Tremendous fiasco for those who do not have faith in the strength of those who fight, who put their hopes on the financial and economic things. Spirit for those of us who are more than convinced that it’s a mistake to oppress our future in plots and in foreign governments and that whatever measure that might result in the perpetuation of tyranny is as damaging as tyranny itself.

Translated by Raul G.

December 9 2010

This Tuesday, At 8:30 PM Sharp / Antunez

Appeal:

The Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front, in the framework of the “The System Doesn’t Work” Day and in coordination with the Frank País 30th of November Democratic Party*, members of this front, invite the rest of the opposition and dissident organizations in the country to meet this November 30th at 8:30 at night coincident with the national pot-and-pan protest.

The Front, which gathers together the leading regional coalitions and promoter organizations of civil disobedience will present the Castro regime with this anti-establishment demand.

1. Demand the dictatorship that if, as Fidel Castro recognized, the system doesn’t work, that it be immediately changed.

2. The freedom of the more than 11 million Cubans, prisoners on this captive Island.

3. The return of the girl Yirisleidi to her father, incarcerated for writing anti-government slogans on the front of his house.

4. The urgent and unconditional freedom of the 10 Cuban patriots, who by their refusal to leave Cuba are retained in prison, as well as the freedom of each and every one of the political prisoners in Cuba.

5. Our opposition to the evictions and layoffs of those who are being objects thereof – the Cubans of the Island.

Likewise, the Front claims the support of all our countrymen — be they inside or outside Cuba — and of all the friends and sympathizers of the cause of freedom of our Motherland across which we summon to this important call.

The Front, in coordination with the Partido Democrático 30 de noviembre Frank País, believes that this important and peaceful protest will create a serious precedent in the anti-Castro struggle and will be the beginning of an escalation of actions and initiatives that will contribute powerfully to the strengthening and unity of each and every one of the factors struggling for democratic change of our Motherland.

“Freedom, compatriots”, said the apostle**, “costs very dearly and it is necessary to resign oneself to live without it or conquer it at its price.” And the price is this, the struggle and frontal assault against the dictatorship.

Brothers, Sisters: This is the moment to move from thought to action, from dissidence to resistance, from planning to activism. And here is the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front; an entity arisen as a necessity of the moment in which our country lives. Here is the Front, uniting, for the first time, those in Cuba who promote civil disobedience and public protests as strategies of the struggle. Here is the Front, upright in the face of terror, demanding the freedom of the more than 11 million Cubans, the reuniting of the Cuban family and the cessation of repression against the population in general. The Front needs solid support, from as many Cubans who want and need to be free.

We are counting on your support.

From Placetas, in the center of Cuba. Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antunez”, candidate for democratic election to the (position of) Secretary General of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Civic Resistance and Disobedience Front.

* Translator’s Note: This party is named for an anti-Batista rebel named Frank País. This party’s name commemorates his leadership of a 4-day uprising in Santiago de Cuba which began on 30 November 1956. Future references to this party’s name will remain in its original Spanish.

**Translator’s note: the “apostle” credited with this quote is José Martí.

Translated by: JT

November 24, 2010

We’re Doing Fine, Zapata / Antunez

October 23 2010

The recent dismissal of Spain’s Pro-Castro foreign minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the declarations of President Barack Obama, and the well-deserved award to the independent journalist Guillermo Fariñas have been the most important of recent events.

The exit of the La Moncloa official — Moratinos — was an event that had an impact if you bear in mind that it was only hours before the European Union met in full session to analyze whether or not it would maintain its Common Position on Cuba. The exit of Moratinos closes a black chapter of complicity and flirtation with the Castro regime leaders. We will see now if the Spanish executive, with its new foreign minister, assumes the role and listens to the demands for freedom of more than 11 million Cubans.

Let’s hope that going forward Obama continues to be faithful to the principles of the American nation. Just as with terrorists, one neither negotiates nor reaches agreements with tyrannical governments, save those agreements that would be to the benefit of freedom and transparency.

The awarding of the Andrei Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Coco Fariñas represents a strong blow to the Ortega-Castro duo, since the releases from prison, understood to mean the exile of our imprisoned brothers, and the measures announced in the economic order have monopolized the attention of the press, the press which is in charge of protecting the image that if everything in Cuba is not exactly perfect, it is functioning about normal.

All Cubans are proud of this prize and we think that Fariñas’ contribution to the crisis that confronts the Castro regime represents a landmark in the struggle for democracy and respect for Cuban rights.

Many thanks to the European parliament for their just decision and a thousand thanks to Guillermo “Coco” Fariñas for his courage, altruism and perseverance maintained during his long years of struggle.

Translated by: D. Brazzell