Jonathan Torres’ Mother Will Start a Hunger Strike in a Church to Demand His Release

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 7 December 2021 — Bárbara Farrat Guillén, mother of Jonathan Torres Farrat, one of the young people imprisoned by the protests on July 11 (11J) in Havana, has carried out two 24-hour fasts and confirmed to 14ymedio that she will start a hunger and thirst strike together to the father of her son in … Continue reading “Jonathan Torres’ Mother Will Start a Hunger Strike in a Church to Demand His Release”

Cuba Condemns 15 Protesters of 11J (11 July 2021) to Sentences of Up To 13 Years

EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, 25 January 2023 — A court in Havana handed down sentences which ranged from four years of “limited liberty” to 13 years in prison to 15 protesters from July 11, 2021 (11J), the largest protests in decades. According to the decision, dated January 23, which EFE accessed this Wednesday, the People’s … Continue reading “Cuba Condemns 15 Protesters of 11J (11 July 2021) to Sentences of Up To 13 Years”

‘If More Mothers Unite, We Will Achieve Our Children’s Release’

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 14 December 2021 — The only gleaming corner in the home of Jonathan Torres’s family, one of the young people arrested after the protests on July 11th (11J), is the corner with the crib for the baby, who is almost two months old. The clean sheets, the mosquito net, the wet … Continue reading “‘If More Mothers Unite, We Will Achieve Our Children’s Release’”

In Less Than Three Months, Cuba Loses Nine Judokas Due to Escapes and Departures From the Country

14ymedio, Havana, 22 September 2023 — In less than three months, nine Cuban judokas have escaped. The most recent of these desertions has been that of Kaliema Antomarchi, bronze medalist in the Budapest Judo World Championship (2017). According to coach Daniel Gómez, the santiagueran decided to leave the Island legally and boarded a flight to … Continue reading “In Less Than Three Months, Cuba Loses Nine Judokas Due to Escapes and Departures From the Country”

‘Minors Are the Most Tortured’ in Cuban Prisons, Denounces Prisoners Defenders

14ymedio, Havana, 30 May 2023 — The organization Prisoners Defenders (PD) presented a new report on torture in Cuba on Tuesday, after collecting the statements of 181 political prisoners, including seven women and four minors (16 to 18 years old, the criminal age on the Island). In an online press conference, the president of the NGO based … Continue reading “‘Minors Are the Most Tortured’ in Cuban Prisons, Denounces Prisoners Defenders”

Yelling ‘Freedom’ is an Aggravating Factor for the Tribunal that Convicted Nine Cubans for July 2021 (11J) Protests

14ymedio, Havana, January 28, 2023 — On Thursday, the court of Crimes Against State Security of Havana’s Provincial Tribunal handed down sentences of up to 15 years in prison for another nine 11J [11 July 2021] protesters charged with sedition. The accused, ranging from 25 to 39 years of age are: Lázaro Yurisan Sarduy, sentenced … Continue reading “Yelling ‘Freedom’ is an Aggravating Factor for the Tribunal that Convicted Nine Cubans for July 2021 (11J) Protests”

‘Denigrating the Masculinity’ of Cuban President Diaz-Canel is a New Crime to Imprison 10 Cubans for 2021 ’11J’ Protests

14ymedio, Havana, 26 January 2023 — On Tuesday, the Municipal Court of Habana del Este signed sentences of up to eight years of imprisonment for ten demonstrators from the protests of July 11, 2021, commonly referred to as ’11J’. To the defendants, among whom was Professor Pedro Albert Sánchez, the Prosecutor’s Office attributed the crimes of … Continue reading “‘Denigrating the Masculinity’ of Cuban President Diaz-Canel is a New Crime to Imprison 10 Cubans for 2021 ’11J’ Protests”

Two Mothers of 11 July (11J) Prisoners Were Detained for a Few Hours Along with the Leader of the Ladies in White in Cuba

14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 5 December 2022 — The leader of the Cuban dissident collective Damas de Blanco [Ladies in White], Berta Soler, was arrested this weekend along with the mothers of two prisoners for the massive protests of July 11, 2021 (11J), the regime opponent Ángel Moya reported on Monday. Norabel Herrera and Marilin Cabrera managed to evade the … Continue reading “Two Mothers of 11 July (11J) Prisoners Were Detained for a Few Hours Along with the Leader of the Ladies in White in Cuba”

Cuba: Two Defense Attorneys Criticize the Prosector’s Evidence and Witnesses at Protestors’ Trial

EFE/14ymedio, Havana, 25 November 2022 — At least two lawyers for fifteen anti-government demonstrators criticized legal proceedings against their clients in open court on Thursday. The fifteen are being tried for participating in public protests on July 11 of last year, the largest such demonstrations in Cuba in decades. A source who was in the … Continue reading “Cuba: Two Defense Attorneys Criticize the Prosector’s Evidence and Witnesses at Protestors’ Trial”

The United States Calls for the Release of Cuban Protesters Detained on 11 July 2021 (11J)

14ymedio/EFE, Havana/Washington, 24 November 2022 — The United States called for the release of Cuban demonstrators detained in the protests of July 11, 2021, who are being tried this Wednesday, including Jonathan Torres, a minor when the events occurred. “We are concerned about the upcoming trial of Jonathan Torres Farrat, who was only 17 years … Continue reading “The United States Calls for the Release of Cuban Protesters Detained on 11 July 2021 (11J)”

Several Relatives of July 11th (11J) Detainees are Arrested at the Cathedral in Havana, Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 1 August 2022–Several relatives of 11J (11 July 2021) detainees were arrested on Monday after conducting a peaceful protest at the steps of Havana’s Cathedral. The protesters have been identified as: Liset Fonseca Rosales, Marta Perdomo Benítez, Ailex Marcano Fabelo, Delanis Álvarez Matos, Saily Núñez y Wilber Aguilar, who were taken to the … Continue reading “Several Relatives of July 11th (11J) Detainees are Arrested at the Cathedral in Havana, Cuba”

Saily Gonzalez Arrives in the US in the Face of Growing Threats from the Cuban Police

14ymedio, Havana, 19 June 2022 — Due to the “episode of repression” that activist Saily González Velázquez suffered last Thursday, she decided to leave Cuba and this Sunday she arrived in Miami in the United States. According to what she made known through her social networks, her decision was made “very hastily and I have told … Continue reading “Saily Gonzalez Arrives in the US in the Face of Growing Threats from the Cuban Police”

Several Young 11J (July 11th) Protesters Released in Havana

14ymedio, Havana, 28 May 2022 — At least five young people who were tried for the July 11 protests in Havana were released after a appeals trial held this Friday at the Diez de Octubre Municipal Court in Havana. Among those released are Rowland Jesús Castillo and Lázaro Noel Urgellés Fajardo, who had been sentenced … Continue reading “Several Young 11J (July 11th) Protesters Released in Havana”

Cuban journalist Camila Acosta is fined 1,000 pesos for reporting about 11J

14ymedio, Havana, May 27, 2022 — Camila Acosta has avoided  trial for an alleged crime of public disorder after paying a fine of 1,000 pesos imposed by State Security. The independent journalist, who was arrested for reporting on the protests of July 11 (11J) and had been under house arrest for 10 months, reported on … Continue reading “Cuban journalist Camila Acosta is fined 1,000 pesos for reporting about 11J”

Cuban Police Detain Several Ladies in White to Block a Protest

14ymedio, Havana, 23 January 2022 — On Sunday, women dressed in plainclothes at the service of State Security detained a group of Ladies in White along with the mothers of some political prisoners, among whom was Bárbara Farrat, the mother of the 17-year-old Jonathan Torres, imprisoned after the protests of the July 11 (11J). “They … Continue reading “Cuban Police Detain Several Ladies in White to Block a Protest”