Cuban Opponents Sissi Abascal, Sayli Navarro and Félix Navarro Receive the Patmos Award

The three political prisoners are serving sentences for participating in the 11J protests 14ymedio, Havana, 31 October 2024 — Political prisoners Sissi Abascal Zamora, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, and Sayli Navarro Álvarez (the latter two father and daughter), arrested during the Island-wide protests of 11 July 2021 (’11J’) in Matanzas, have been awarded the Patmos Prize, … Continue reading “Cuban Opponents Sissi Abascal, Sayli Navarro and Félix Navarro Receive the Patmos Award”

Cuban Prisoner, Sissi Abascal, Punished for Refusing to Shout Slogans in Favor of the Regime

14ymedio, Havana, 15 September 2023 — Authorities from the women’s prison in Matanzas, known as La Bellotex, have once again denied a change from a severe regimen to a minimum security for political prisoner and Lady in White, Sissi Abascal, sentenced to six years after the July 11th (11J) protests in 2021. Prison directors, who … Continue reading “Cuban Prisoner, Sissi Abascal, Punished for Refusing to Shout Slogans in Favor of the Regime”

Sissi Abascal, the Young Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Painting ‘Patria y Vida’ on a Sheet

14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 14 May 2022 — At the age of 16, Sissi Abascal Zamora was not, like any other teenager, walking with her friends or wearing new clothes. At that age she became part of the Ladies in White Movement and she lived between arrests and police operations. On July 11, 2021, her participation in … Continue reading “Sissi Abascal, the Young Woman Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Painting ‘Patria y Vida’ on a Sheet”

The Mother of Political Prisoner Sissi Abascal Denounces the Deterioration of Food in Prison

 Authorities prevent Sonia Álvarez, the ’Lady in White’ and wife of Félix Navarro, from visiting her daughter Sayli in prison, because she was wearing white 14ymedio, Havana, 6 March 2025 — The situation in Cuban prisons continues to deteriorate. In addition to overcrowding and poor medical coverage, the food ration has been reduced in recent … Continue reading “The Mother of Political Prisoner Sissi Abascal Denounces the Deterioration of Food in Prison”

No News of Political Prisoners Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castillo, Sissi Abascal or Sayli Navarro

The PEN Club of Cuban Writers in Exile calls for the “immediate release” of the poet María Cristina Garrido, imprisoned in El Guatao 14ymedio, Madrid, 6 February 2025 — The Pen Club of Cuban Writers in Exile, a subsidiary of the international organization that works for freedom of expression and protects persecuted authors, has demanded … Continue reading “No News of Political Prisoners Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castillo, Sissi Abascal or Sayli Navarro”

Political Prisoners Sissi Abascal and Sayli Navarro, Excluded From the ‘Pass’ for 11J Prisoners

Temporary passes are increasingly frequent in Cuban prisons due to the shortage of food, explains Martha Beatriz Roque 14ymedio, Havana, September 2, 2024 — Political prisoners Sissi Abascal and Sayli Navarro were not included in the pass received this Monday by five other women convicted of demonstrating on 11 July 2021, who are serving their … Continue reading “Political Prisoners Sissi Abascal and Sayli Navarro, Excluded From the ‘Pass’ for 11J Prisoners”

Cuban Sissi Abascal’s Appeal is Denied and Her Six-Year Prison Sentence is Confirmed

14ymedio, Havana, 27 December 2021 — Lady in White, Sissi Abascal, who participated in the July 11th protests in Cuba was transferred to prison on Monday, after a failed appeal of her six-year jail sentence. Annia Zamora, the activist’s mother, suffered “severe chest pain” at the Jovellanos Tribunal in Matanzas, where the sentence was ratified, … Continue reading “Cuban Sissi Abascal’s Appeal is Denied and Her Six-Year Prison Sentence is Confirmed”

‘Empress’ Sissi Goes to Prison in Cuba / Luis Felipe Rojas

Luis Felipe Rojas, 28 December 2021 — The Cuban revolution does not mince words or believe in noble titles. On Monday, December 27, a court in Matanzas confirmed the sentence of 6 years in prison for  Sissi Abascal Zamora, age 23, for the alleged crimes of “contempt, attack and public disorder.” Sissi was accused and imprisoned … Continue reading “‘Empress’ Sissi Goes to Prison in Cuba / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Cuban Human Rights Activist José Daniel Ferrer is Compared to Historic Figures Who ‘Left a Legacy’ Through Dialog

“Cuba needs to reconcile to avoid committing suicide,” says the Council for Democratic Transition 14ymedio, Madrid, 5 February 2025 — The words of José Daniel Ferrer, speaking in favor of an eventual dialogue if the regime so desired, continue to be the talk of the island and abroad. The most recent endorsement of Ferrer, the … Continue reading “Cuban Human Rights Activist José Daniel Ferrer is Compared to Historic Figures Who ‘Left a Legacy’ Through Dialog”

The Cuban Regime Releases One of the Four Ladies in White Arrested for the ’11J’ Protests

Political prisoner Ángel Mesa Rodríguez was also released on Monday EFE/14ymedi0, Havana, 20 January 2025 — The Cuban government released political prisoner Ángel Mesa Rodríguez on Monday and the Lady in White, Tania Echevarría Menéndez, a day earlier, as part of the regime’s deal with the Vatican to release 553 prisoners. Mesa was serving a … Continue reading “The Cuban Regime Releases One of the Four Ladies in White Arrested for the ’11J’ Protests”

The Mother of Political Prisoner Sayli Navarro Was Arrested During Cuban President Diaz-Canel’s Visit to Matanzas

14ymedio, Havana, March 26, 2024 — Sonia Álvarez, mother of political prisoner Sayli Navarro, was arrested for several hours on Tuesday morning at the Jovellanos police station. Álvarez’s arrest was part of the security operations for the visit of Miguel Díaz-Canel to several municipalities in the province of Matanzas, says activist Annia Zamora. Zamora, mother … Continue reading “The Mother of Political Prisoner Sayli Navarro Was Arrested During Cuban President Diaz-Canel’s Visit to Matanzas”

Protesters’ Trials in Cuba: ‘Black Berets, Red Berets, It’s Like They’re Going to Bring in Bin Laden’

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 25 January 2022 — Despite the harassment to which they are subjected by State Security and the strong operations at the doors of the courts where the July 11 protesters are being judged, many of their relatives have made it clear that they will not stop asking for justice in loud … Continue reading “Protesters’ Trials in Cuba: ‘Black Berets, Red Berets, It’s Like They’re Going to Bring in Bin Laden’”

421 Prisoners Are Still Serving Sentences in Cuban Prisons for the ’11J’ Island-Wide Protests, Prisoners Defenders Denounces

On the anniversary last June, the regime arrested eight people, several of them for protesting against the blackouts in Guanabacoa. 14ymedio, Havana, 10 July 2025 — On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the mass demonstrations of 11 July 2021, Prisoners Defenders (PD) has published a report denouncing that, of the 1,158 political prisoners … Continue reading “421 Prisoners Are Still Serving Sentences in Cuban Prisons for the ’11J’ Island-Wide Protests, Prisoners Defenders Denounces”

After ‘Destabilizing Several African Countries’ Mike Hammer Seeks To Do the Same in Cuba

Official websites accuse the head of the US Embassy of “organizing subversive activity” in his meetings with the opposition and religious leaders. 14ymedio, Madrid, 12 March 2025 — When Mike Hammer, the US envoy in Cuba, replaced Benjamin Ziff in November 2024, the official press ignored the news. Career diplomat, with more than 35 years … Continue reading “After ‘Destabilizing Several African Countries’ Mike Hammer Seeks To Do the Same in Cuba”

Cuban State Security Releases Félix Navarro and Reiterates the Ban on His Attending Mass

The opposition leader and his wife were intercepted when they were going to church and remained in the police unit until 12 noon. 14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 10 March 2025 — Former Cuban political prisoner Félix Navarro and his wife, Sonia Álvarez, a member of the Ladies in White, were released after being temporarily detained for the … Continue reading “Cuban State Security Releases Félix Navarro and Reiterates the Ban on His Attending Mass”