Official Cuba’s Fear of Obama / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

Cuban TV gives Obama’s visit less importance than a potato planting event 14ymedio, Havana, 21 March 2016 — The coverage provided by Cuban media and Telesur on US President Barack Obama’s arrival in Cuba on Sunday was absolutely disrespectful, not only to him and with regards to this historic event, but to the millions of … Continue reading “Official Cuba’s Fear of Obama / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Gang Warfare In Havana / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 8 February 2016 – A few nights ago my wife and I arrived in an almendrón [old American car in use as a shared-taxi] at the Ceiba little park just before the traffic light at Via Blanca and Lacret, in Havana. We we usually get off there when we are going home … Continue reading “Gang Warfare In Havana / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Police Warn Eliecer Avila That Somos+ Convention Will Not be Allowed / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 11 January 2016 – The repressive actions against the Cuban opposition were repeated this Sunday across the country. It is estimated that more than 200 activists were arrested, according to independent reports. The police also arrested Eliecer Avila, the leader of the Somos+ (We Are More) Movement, and warned him that they would … Continue reading “Police Warn Eliecer Avila That Somos+ Convention Will Not be Allowed / 14ymedio”

A Year That Counts in Our Favor / Somos+, Eliecer Avila

Eliecer Avila, 31 December 2015 — To offer a comprehensive summary of the work realized by the Somos+ movement in 2015, we would need the pages of a book. Thus, I will only try, in a strong exercise of memory, to highlight some details and successes of our recent history that characterize the performance and demonstrate … Continue reading “A Year That Counts in Our Favor / Somos+, Eliecer Avila”

The Inebriated Pupil / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 14 December 2015 – The Astonished Pupil is a recent program on Cuban TV directed by Iroel Sanchez. The show continues the logic that has characterized Sanchez in recent years. Every time the gentleman opens his mouth it is to speak badly of everything modern, free and useful, from the internet and … Continue reading “The Inebriated Pupil / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Incident at the Airport Yesterday / Somos+, Eliecer Avila

Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 5 October 2015 — Everything appeared normal until I got to the immigration desk. There the official meeting me had a sign on his screen with the word “CONTROLLED” flashing in red. With more or less discrete gestures, the young official started dialing code numbers to his superiors to come to the booth … Continue reading “Incident at the Airport Yesterday / Somos+, Eliecer Avila”

The Right To Public Debate / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

The video above is in English. 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 12 August 2015 – Recently the Cuban intellectual Rafael Hernández, editor of the journal Temas (Topics) and moderator of the debates that take place on the last Thursday of each month at the Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate) center, gave an interview to the journalist Cristina Escobar … Continue reading “The Right To Public Debate / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Eliecer Avila is Received in Buenos Aires by National Deputy, Cornelia Schmidt-Liermann / Somos+

Somos+, 31 July 2015 — The engineer Eliecer Avila, president of the Movement Somos+, was received in Buenos Aires by the National Deputy Cornelia Schmidt-Liermann, member of the Union PRO party and president of Parladem (Parliamentarians for Democracy). After a cordial conversation about the Cuban reality and Argentina, the deputy was interested in knowing whether the … Continue reading “Eliecer Avila is Received in Buenos Aires by National Deputy, Cornelia Schmidt-Liermann / Somos+”

Cuba’s Problems Can’t Be Solved Without Its Exiles / 14ymedio, Eliécer Ávila

14ymedio, Eliécer Ávila, Havana, 5 August 2015 — The Cuban National Conference, which will take place in Puerto Rico from August 12th until the 15th, is generating expectations and controversies. Since its dates coincide with the reopening ceremony of the American embassy in Havana and the visit to Cuba of Secretary of State John Kerry, … Continue reading “Cuba’s Problems Can’t Be Solved Without Its Exiles / 14ymedio, Eliécer Ávila”

Let’s go to La Rampa! / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 7 August 2015 — It’s seven in the evening and at home we’re hurrying to eat early. We decided to try to the WiFi connection on the capital’s La Rampa, a stretch of arterial which extends from the Coppelia ice cream stand to the Malecon. The preparations are the same as for going … Continue reading “Let’s go to La Rampa! / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

The Visit Of Pope Francis Confronts The Opposition With A New Test / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 13 July 2015 – Pope Francis’s visit to Cuba is approaching and the scenario represents a new opportunity for civil society and the political opposition to live up to the expectations of thousands of Cubans inside and outside the country, who have been waiting for a long time for a coherent … Continue reading “The Visit Of Pope Francis Confronts The Opposition With A New Test / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Freedom of Expression in Cuba / Somos+, Eliecer Avila

Eliécer Ávila, 6 July 2015 — With horror and profound indignation I learned what they did to Antonio Rodiles yesterday. The bloodlust of these characters is no different from what motivated the torturers of the 1950s, those who do not defend the freedom of their people, but brag about ganging up to beat down a citizen … Continue reading “Freedom of Expression in Cuba / Somos+, Eliecer Avila”

Chronicle of a Visit Postponed to Jagüey Grande / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 28 June 2015 — Last Friday afternoon, my wife Rachell and I were going to the city of Jagüey Grande in Mantanzas Province. Several friends were waiting for us there to spend a weekend together talking and discussing future projects. We were going to see Alexey, a motorcycle mechanic and computer … Continue reading “Chronicle of a Visit Postponed to Jagüey Grande / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

The Job of a Father / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 21 June 2015 – When we are children we have an idyllic idea of who our father is. We see him as an invincible guardian, strong, fair, who feels no fear and protects us from all the dangers ahead of us in the world. With the passing of time, two things … Continue reading “The Job of a Father / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”

Cuba Nostalgia / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila

14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, 19 May 2015 – On Saturday the 16th, being in Miami, a friend invited me to visit the show Cuba Nostalgia. No one knew for sure what it was about, but the name made ​​me curious. The event took place in the outskirts of the city at the Fair Expo Center near the … Continue reading “Cuba Nostalgia / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”