Declaration of the Cuban Democracy Project / Rafael León Rodríguez

Motivated by the death of the leader and founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, the Cuban Democracy Project issues the following declaration: The Cuban Democracy Project is in mourning, after the tragic death of the leader and founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas. There was a wake over his mortal remains in … Continue reading “Declaration of the Cuban Democracy Project / Rafael León Rodríguez”

Inside the Skin of Ángel Carromero / Yoani Sánchez

I feel like I had a couple of days stolen from me last week. I remember staying up all night on Monday, leaving for the parish of The Savior of the World where the wake for Oswaldo Payá was held, and from there the hours run together. I don’t know if something happened on Tuesday … Continue reading “Inside the Skin of Ángel Carromero / Yoani Sánchez”

Granma Newspaper: The Lies And The Cynicism

The recent editorial by the newspaper Granma clearly defines the mediocrity and poverty of thought of a system that now howls desperately at its approaching end. The text is an apology to the cynicism of the elite and those who serve it, who try to discredit and silence the independent voices that spring from Cuban … Continue reading “Granma Newspaper: The Lies And The Cynicism”

Abandon all hope… / Lilianne Ruíz

On the afternoon of Monday, July 30, we could watch on Cuban TV a few edited minutes of a press conference held by one of the two survivors of the event that claimed the life of Oswaldo Payá. Aron Modig presented himself as a Swedish citizen affiliated with the Christian Democratic Party in his country. … Continue reading “Abandon all hope… / Lilianne Ruíz”

Another Absence / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado

It’s still not a year since we suffered the death of Laura Pollán — in October — and in January that of Wilmar Villar, when mourning once again cloaked the feelings and spirit of the alternative civil society in Cuba. Oswaldo Payá, the most prominent of the opposition leaders inside Cuba, is physically absent from … Continue reading “Another Absence / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado”

The Empty Table / Miriam Celaya

Again, Cuba’s general-president has offered his gastronomic policy to the American president. “The table is set…” said a Raúl Castro who appeared erratic and inconsistent at the podium this 26th of July, as if a touch of rum had been added to his morning coffee. He laughed at his own bad jokes like some street … Continue reading “The Empty Table / Miriam Celaya”

Time Will Have the Last Word / Alberto Mendez Castelló

The death of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, occurred according to the official version by accident while traveling in a rental car, driven by a Spanish citizen with a tourist visa, and it could take as many years as the regime endures to know the reality of what happened. According to the authorities the accident … Continue reading “Time Will Have the Last Word / Alberto Mendez Castelló”

Raúl Castro: “The Table is Set for the United States” / Yoani Sánchez

On Thursday morning, the 26th of July was celebrated in Gunatanamo province. The 59th Anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes barracks went according to script with no great surprises. In Mariana Grajales Plaza in this eastern city, members of the government, local authorities and thousands of local people gathered. … Continue reading “Raúl Castro: “The Table is Set for the United States” / Yoani Sánchez”

“No one can doubt that totalitarianism will be dismantled.” / Antonio Rodiles

Antonio Rodiles Speaks to PenultimosDias.com about his arrest and detention at Oswaldo Payá’s funeral On July 24th, during Oswaldo Payá’s funeral, Antonio Rodiles, coordinator of the independent project Estado de Sats, was arrested by the police and held for almost 24 hours in the Police Station at Infanta and Manglar, in the Cerro neighborhood. Some … Continue reading ““No one can doubt that totalitarianism will be dismantled.” / Antonio Rodiles”

Response to Catholic Church’s Editorial in Lay Space: “Commitment to the Truth” / Estado de Sats

By Alexis Jardines and Antonio Rodiles The most recent editorial in the Cuban Catholic Church’s journal Lay Space (Espacio Laical) put on the table for discussion, once again, several critical points regarding the course that should be taken in the Cuban transition. First, we have to say that we find it most interesting that the … Continue reading “Response to Catholic Church’s Editorial in Lay Space: “Commitment to the Truth” / Estado de Sats”

We Ask of the Pope / El Ciro – Ciro Javier Díaz Penedo

Benedict XVI should speak at the morning Mass of the arrests of citizens in Cuba, of the beating received yesterday by a person who, during his Mass, of the abuses the Cuban government inflicts on its population, and if he does not he is, in some way, an accomplice to this tyranny, he would be … Continue reading “We Ask of the Pope / El Ciro – Ciro Javier Díaz Penedo”

Brain Adjustment Act / Ernesto Morales Licea

Who could have told the patriarch Fidel Castro that in the autumn of his years he would find an ally to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act, and not among his starched-brain little spokespeople in the leftist corners of the world, but among Miami’s ranks of the ultra-right-wing itself? If he had the strength for it, … Continue reading “Brain Adjustment Act / Ernesto Morales Licea”

Will Cubans Be Able to Holiday Abroad? / Iván García

In tune with the new airs of delayed economic reforms that General Raul Castro aims to promote, under one of the measures made ​​public on Monday 9th May, Cubans on the island can take holidays abroad. On the street it has been the story of the year. It displaced the Brazilian soap opera, the gossip … Continue reading “Will Cubans Be Able to Holiday Abroad? / Iván García”

Voices 3 About to be Released / Miguel Iturria Savón

Translator’s note: The translation of this post was delayed; Voices 7 is now out. Friday night, November 12, was one of magic and joy for the sponsors and witnesses of the journal Voices, developed since last August by Yoani Sanchez, Reinaldo Escobar, Luis Orlando and other creators from the Academy Blogger in Cuba, who distributed … Continue reading “Voices 3 About to be Released / Miguel Iturria Savón”

Among Dissidents: My Interview with Max Lesnik (I) / Ernesto Morales Licea

I saw him before me, for the first time, in a television studio in Miami. He had been invited to debate an incident in which he had been a protagonist: A billboard, in an anti-Castro city par excellence, that for twenty-four hours spoke out on behalf of the five Cuban members of the “Wasp Network” … Continue reading “Among Dissidents: My Interview with Max Lesnik (I) / Ernesto Morales Licea”