English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Due to the well-known inability of Cubans to connect to the Internet at will — and because I didn’t feel I was in a condition during the first week of April to travel to Havana — it is only today that I can update my page. In the end, it turns out, censorship reaped its … Continue reading “Hunger Strike – Blog 3 (Final) / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Interview of Dr. Jimenez Vega Jeovany by Praxis, local newsletter of Guanajay Catholic Church, published in its latest edition. An unprecedented event, for the social responsibility that a great part of the people have assumed, and especially people from Guanajay and particularly an important sector of the Catholic Church, deserves a few lines from its … Continue reading “Interview Given to Praxis / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Today it has been three weeks since the beginning of my hunger strike. The distinctive sign these days has been the absolute silence maintained by the Cuban government authorities and by the officials of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). Absolutely no one, of any government institution or of MINSAP, has made any public pronouncement … Continue reading “Hunger Strike’ Day 21. Blog 2. / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
It became clear that they are more macho and virile than the rest of the Cubans, including me of course, having the most legendary and robust genitalia, the most powerful testosterone and you don’t play with them, the most alpha males of this story. None of this is discussed, more than 50 years should be … Continue reading “Hunger Strike’ 18 Days. What More Do They Want to Demonstrate? / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Today they are saying I’m heartless, that there was no merit in my past, everything in me was bullshit. They will try to discredit even my shadow, they will say that I am only a little guy who misled his colleagues and they will insist on clinging to the lie castaways cling to a board. … Continue reading “Hunger Strike 16 Days. Who did they bar from practicing medicine in 2006? / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
For reasons beyond my control I could not access the Internet today and send these words to Citizen Zero through my wife. During the first week of my hunger strike I stayed for most of the time in Marti Park in Guanajay, located in front of the community clinic in this town, which was the … Continue reading “Hunger Strike: First Report / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
The First National Conference of the Communist Party of Cuba, recently held on January 28th and 29th, left a permanent bittersweet taste. First Secretary Raul Castro said that one of its objectives was to, “promote greater democracy in our society, starting with an example within the ranks of the Party.” In this light, any person … Continue reading “The Ex-Militant Requests the Floor / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Artemis, January 28, 2012. “Year 54 of the Revolution” To: Raul Castro Ruz President of the Councils of State and Ministers First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Mr. President: At age 35, the person who is writing to you dedicated his youth and the highest part of himself to the Revolution. I had … Continue reading “Letter to Raúl Castro Ruz / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Artemisa, 20 February 2012 To His Holiness Benedict XVI: Like most Cubans, I greatly rejoice in your announced visit to our country, which will undoubtedly be welcome. You come to a country living in the most complex moment in its history. When you come, certainly, our authorities will show, among others, the achievements of our … Continue reading “Letter to Pope Benedict XVI / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Video 1 of 3 – Describes being barred from practicing medicine for circulating and submitting a petition signed by 300 healthcare workers requesting an increase in wages. Video 2 of 3 – Describes his attempts to have his case heard by government institutions. Video 3 of 3 – Describes the actions the authorities took against … Continue reading “Dr. Jeovany Jimenez Vega Explains Why He Is Now on Hunger Strike / Jeovany J. Vega”
This afternoon at 1:30 PM, I delivered at the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Health Minister a document addressed to Dr. Roberto Morales Ojeda, by which I declare a HUNGER STRIKE, which I will maintain until my death if the following conditions are not met: A. – The repeal of Ministerial Resolutions 248 and … Continue reading “Dr. Jeovany Jimenez Vega Declares Hunger Strike / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
I look at the crust, I touch it, I smell it… I doubt … but I don’t have the temerity to eat it. I think about the mother of the baker and imagine her selling in a private restaurant on the corner the butter that is “left over” at the end of the shift; and … Continue reading “Of Bread and Other Demons / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Human nature tends to habits, which is not unusual since by nature man is a creature of habit. Cubans, subject to this rule like everyone else, drag with us the tendency to babble wherever we go, and Miami would not be the exception. Pablo’s concert at the Arena was marked, as was that of Los … Continue reading “Dear Pablo… / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Yesterday, the residents of the municipality of Guanajay were filled with joy on the arrival of the statue of the Virgin of Charity to his city, as part of a pilgrimage that began on Aug. 8 in El Cobre, and has led to multiple cities in Cuba. This pilgrimage, which already totals 27,000 kilometers, something … Continue reading “The Steps of the Virgin / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
Something very serious happens in a country where people live by stealth and avoid criticizing the decisions of their government, where the transcendent issues are spoken in a whisper, quietly monitoring the environment, just in case; where so many do not consider honest labor as the only morally legitimate source to earn the bread they … Continue reading “The Culture of the Big Stick / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
