Cuban State Security Accuses the Writer Rafael Vilches of ‘Inciting the People to Rebellion’

14ymedio, Havana, 17 May 2021 —  Cuban State Security accused the writer Rafael Vilches of calling for “public disorder” and inciting “the people to a rebellion through social networks” during an interrogation that lasted for more than an hour this Monday in Las Tunas, where he resides. “The whole time they let me know that it … Continue reading “Cuban State Security Accuses the Writer Rafael Vilches of ‘Inciting the People to Rebellion’”

The United States Denies Visa For Poet Rafael Vilches / Luis Felipe Rojas

Luis Felipe Rojas, 1 July 2016 — This Friday I was informed that Cuban writer, poet, novelist, and cultural advocate Poemario de Rafeal Vilches was denied a visa by the United States embassy in Havana. Vilches has become an problem for those who claim that things have changed in Cuba. He has been arrested, interrogated by … Continue reading “The United States Denies Visa For Poet Rafael Vilches / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Prison Diary LII: Dear Vilches, Welcome to the Space of Decorum / Angel Santiesteban

Any injustice against a single person, represents a threat to everyone. Montesquieu “God makes us, and freedom joins us.” This post I owe to the brave writer and friend Rafael Vilches Proenza who, by dint of talent, earned the recognition of the intelligentsia of the Island. Vilches has followed the call of conscience to do … Continue reading “Prison Diary LII: Dear Vilches, Welcome to the Space of Decorum / Angel Santiesteban”

Alina Bárbara López Expelled From UNEAC for Criticizing the ‘Top Leadership of the Revolution’

The decision was communicated to her personally during a meeting at the Provincial Committee of the organization in Matanzas. 14ymedio, Havana, 13 September 2024 — The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) expelled historian Alina Bárbara López on Thursday, a sanction – insignificant, in her opinion – in which the intellectual sees the … Continue reading “Alina Bárbara López Expelled From UNEAC for Criticizing the ‘Top Leadership of the Revolution’”

‘Eros and Politics’, by the Irreverent Juan Abreu, Stands Out Amongst Books by Cuban Authors Published in April

14ymedio, Xavier Carbonell, Salamanca, 1 May 2023 – To celebrate the centenary of the Cuban author Fina García Marruz, who died in June 2022, the Spanish publishing house Huso has reprinted her book Pequeñas memorias [Little Memories], which they first published in 1955. Wife of essayist Cintio Vitier and member of Grupo Orígenes, García Marruz … Continue reading “‘Eros and Politics’, by the Irreverent Juan Abreu, Stands Out Amongst Books by Cuban Authors Published in April”

‘That Secret Symphony’, Holguín’s Poetic Dissidence

14ymedio, Xavier Carbonell, Salamanca, 21 May 2022 — Holguín exists thanks to a plague of ants and bibijaguas [leaf cutter ants]. It is the strangest and most enigmatic region of the Island. Columbus entered Cuba through it and in Nipe – the largest bay in the archipelago – the Virgin of Charity was found. In … Continue reading “‘That Secret Symphony’, Holguín’s Poetic Dissidence”

Cuban Political Police Multiply Arrests of Activists Before 15 November (15N)

14ymedio, Havana, 14 November 2021 — A few hours before the Civic March for Change, called for this Monday in Cuba by the Archipiélago group, State Security intensifies its siege against activists, independent journalists and ordinary citizens. Daniela Rojo, mother of two young children, moderator of the platform in networks from Guanabacoa, Havana, and who was … Continue reading “Cuban Political Police Multiply Arrests of Activists Before 15 November (15N)”

Cuban Dissidents Outline A Common Agenda / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 31 July 2015 – The meeting held Thursday in Havana by some twenty civil society organizations and the political community has been defined as a new step in a common agenda. The initiative aims to work for democracy, fundamental freedoms, and a Rule of Law in Cuba, according to the activist Manuel Cuesta … Continue reading “Cuban Dissidents Outline A Common Agenda / 14ymedio”

“There is no homeland other than poetry” / Luis Felipe Rojas

I want to thank my friend and excellent writer, Amir Valle, for this interview for his magazine Another Monday, and for publicizing the book that has just been published and will be presented shortly in Miami. Amir Valle (AV): Machine for Erasing Humanities is, after Feeding the Dog-Fight, your second book since you went into exile. Although some think … Continue reading ““There is no homeland other than poetry” / Luis Felipe Rojas”

The Summer when God Slept: “Novels From the Drawer” Prize Winner reprinted for International Distribution

(Photo courtesy of Neo Club Press) I have the pleasure to announce that my work, which won the 2013 International Franz Kafka Novels From the Drawer Prize 2013, “The Summer when God Slept,” will be reprinted in coming weeks by Neo Club Editions, an independent publisher located in Miami and directed by the Cuban writer … Continue reading “The Summer when God Slept: “Novels From the Drawer” Prize Winner reprinted for International Distribution”

Where is Robertico? / Luis Felipe Rojas

Photo: Luis Felipe Rojas This is the question many are asking after the events at the “Protestdrome,” where the Cuban musician Roberto Carcassés let loose with good things. The first thing that happens in these cases is a silence that is scary … the repressed and repressor (for different reasons). Although they haven’t taken physical … Continue reading “Where is Robertico? / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Confessions of a Novelist for His Defenseless Angels / Luis Felipe Rojas

The writer Rafael Vilches from Bayamo-Holguin supports his colleague Angel Santiesteban, now that they want to imprison him. By Rafael Vilches Proenza Angel as you were that morning at the presentation of my Defenseless Angels, and have been all these years of friendship with my martyrdoms and happy times, the last time we saw each … Continue reading “Confessions of a Novelist for His Defenseless Angels / Luis Felipe Rojas”

The Grub of Poetry / Luis Felipe Rojas #Cuba

A long time ago, when we were happy and believed that we could fix the world by debating about baseball, poetry and politics (much time has passed since then), we found the Sancti Spiritus-Santiago de Cuba based poet, Reinaldo Garcia Blanco, who reminded us of the time when Christmas was rationed, with his poem “Very … Continue reading “The Grub of Poetry / Luis Felipe Rojas #Cuba”

A Song without Hindrance / Luis Felipe Rojas

This happened to me a few days ago, on January 12th. I wandered about the city in the middle of the heat, searching for a good photo to take to upload on the blog. That was when they informed me that my friend, Ivet Maria Rodriguez, was going to present her CD at the Piano-Bar. … Continue reading “A Song without Hindrance / Luis Felipe Rojas”

A Firing in the Holguin Culture Sector / Luis Felipe Rojas

As expected by many for some time, the boss of the National Union of Cuban Artists and Writers (UNEAC), came down from his presidential throne in Holguin. Miguel Barnet himself, accompanied by an entourage of the ten heads of the various sections, appeared in this city to inform members about the irregularities detected by a … Continue reading “A Firing in the Holguin Culture Sector / Luis Felipe Rojas”