English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Note: The video was taken surreptitiously and thus is of poor quality. 14ymedio, Havana, 18 December 2016 – Beginning at 6:00 AM on Sunday morning, Cuban State Security forces attacked nine homes of members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU); six in Santiago de Cuba, two in Palma Soriano, and one in Palmarito de … Continue reading “Harsh Police Operation Against the Patriotic Union of Cuba / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 29 June 2016 — The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) announced Tuesday its intention to withdraw from the Democratic Action Roundtable (MUAD), a political association involving at least 42 groups and social projects. A statement signed by UNPACU’s board of coordinators also explains that the organization will not continue to be involved in the … Continue reading “Patriotic Union of Cuba Withdraws From MUAD / 14ymedio, Havana”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 5 May 2016 — Since early this month, members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) have begun to disseminate the document Minimum Program and Projections, which outlines guidelines for the actions of the opposition organization, forms of struggle, and a proposal for the country ‘s future. With the publication of this text, … Continue reading “Patriotic Union Of Cuba Launches A Political Program / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
In a video recorded by the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), Enrique Lozada speaks during his third week on hunger strike, a protest started to demand the release of his father, activist Luis Enrique Lozada Igarza, violently arrested by the political police last April 9th in Maffo, Contramaestre. Luis Enrique is also on hunger strike … Continue reading ““I am not afraid to die for my father’s freedom”: Youngest hunger striker speaks / UNPACU – Patriotic Union of Cuba”
Prisoners Defenders records a total of 1,179 political prisoners on the island in October 14ymedio, Madrid, 6 November 2025 — Prisons have not been spared from the health emergency caused by several arboviruses spreading throughout the country. Absolutely not. According to the latest report by Prisoners Defenders (PD), published on Thursday, the epidemics, together with … Continue reading “Bacteria and Viruses Thriving in Cuban Prisons”
The Secretary of State reiterated his commitment to “the pursuit of democracy, prosperity and fundamental freedoms” on the Island 14ymedio, Havana, November 5, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday in Washington with Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, who arrived in exile on October 13 after being forced to leave the island. … Continue reading “Marco Rubio Meets in Washington With Cuban Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer”
It remains a dangerous category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, as it heads for the Island “We know that there will be a lot of damage caused by this hurricane,” warns President Miguel Díaz-Canel 14ymedio / Havana/ Holguín, Miguel García, October 28, 2025 — “I have spent the day nailing doors and windows,” a … Continue reading “Cubans Reinforce Their Homes, Working Against Against the Clock Before the Arrival of Hurricane Melissa”
It is paradoxical that activists who proclaim “freedom for political prisoners” quickly join defamatory campaigns. 14ymedio, Yunior García Aguilera, Madrid, 18 October 2025 — In recent days, two Cuban political prisoners recently returned to exile—José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, and Luis Robles, sentenced to five years in prison for holding … Continue reading “The Cuban Regime Survives Thanks to Our Paranoia”
“The departure, bound for the United States, follows a formal request from that country’s government and the express acceptance of Ferrer García,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 14ymedio, Madrid, October 13, 2025 — The opposition leader of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), José Daniel Ferrer, arrived in the United States on Monday after … Continue reading “Cuban Opponent José Daniel Ferrer Will Land in Miami This Monday in Forced Exile”
The RAE dictionary does not yet recognize the meaning of the verb that defines life on the Island under real socialism. 14ymedio, José A. Adrián Torres, Malaga (Spain), 5 October 2025 — Cuba—like so many other nations—proudly displays its national symbols: the national bird, the tocororo; the national tree, the royal palm; the national flower, … Continue reading “‘To Resolve’, the Art of Survival in Cuba”
The leader of UNPACU also points out his “frustration at the disunity, sectarianism and lack of effectiveness of the opposition inside and outside Cuba” 14ymedio, Madrid, October 3, 2025 –The opponent José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), accepts his exile from Cuba. He has expressed this in a handwritten letter … Continue reading ““Beatings, Torture, Humiliation and Death Threats” Lead José Daniel Ferrer To Accept Exile from Cuba”
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s health has deteriorated significantly in Guanajay prison. 14ymedio, Havana, 9 September 2025 — Political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer remains “under threat of death” in Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba, where he is being held. This Monday, Ana Belkis Ferrer, the activist’s sister, denounced on Facebook that the leader of … Continue reading “Cuban Opponent José Daniel Ferrer Remains “Under Threat of Death” in Prison”
14ymedio, Havana, 6 September 2025 — The family of Félix Navarro complains that they cannot fully understand his health status in prison. The opposition leader, who has been imprisoned again in the Agüica prison in Matanzas since his parole was revoked last April, is ill and isolated. According to activist Annia Zamora, a family friend, … Continue reading “Cuban Dissident Félix Navarro Is Isolated in Prison in a So-Called Infirmary”
Since his return to prison last April, the opponent has suffered brutal ill-treatment and beatings, as reported by his family. 14ymedio, Havana, July 12, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked the Cuban regime on Friday for proof of life for opponent José Daniel Ferrer. The leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba … Continue reading “Washington Denounces the Torture of José Daniel Ferrer and Requests Proof of Life From the Cuban Regime”
