English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
The film can be seen in Cuba using the link sent through friends 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 15 June 2024 — In a narrow, dirty and crowded cell, several prisoners support each other so as not to lose their sanity or their lives. The guards bring a beaten woman to the dungeon and the prisoners … Continue reading “Lilo Vilaplana Talks About his Film ‘Plantadas’: “Doing Historical Justice Comforts Me””
14ymedio, Havana, 10 October 2023 — The historical feature film Plantadas (Planted)* by Cuban directors Camilo and Lilo Vilaplana, won the award for best international film at the Toronto Independent Festival of Cift, in Canada, the directors of the event announced on Tuesday. Lilo Vilaplana celebrated the award on his Facebook page and thanked his entire … Continue reading “The Toronto Independent Festival Awards the Cuban Film ‘Plantadas’”
14ymedio, Pedro Corzo, Miami, 18 October 2022 — Cuban filmmaker Lilo Vilaplana recently announced that he had concluded the filming of Plantadas, a more than necessary historical document, which will do justice to the thousands of Cuban women who have been and are in prison for their struggle for freedom and democracy on the Island. … Continue reading “New Cuban Film ‘Plantadas’ Tells the History of the Island’s Female Political Prisoners”
14ymedio, Havana, September 30, 2022 — On Monday, political prisoner Lizandra Góngora Espinosa, sentenced to 14 years in prison for her participation in the protests of July 11, 2021, was transferred to the hospital at El Guatao women’s prison, in the municipality of La Lisa, Havana, a week after declaring a hunger strike. Ángel Delgado, … Continue reading “One of the July 11th (11J) ‘Plantadas’ in Cuba is Hospitalized and ‘Very Weak’”
14ymedio, Havana, September 20, 2022–Writer María Cristina Garrido, her sister Angélica, and activist Lizandra Góngora, arrested for their participation in the 11J protests [11 July 2021], announced on Tuesday their refusal to wear common prisoner uniforms and declared the start of a hunger strike. The prisoners signed a note from the women’s prison in Guatao, … Continue reading “The Garrido Sisters, Convicted in Cuba for July 11th (11J), are ‘Plantadas’ and Demand their Freedom”
The program ‘Razones de Cuba’ displayed obsolete weapons and failed to demonstrate that the crew had any military training. 14ymedio, Havana, February 28, 2026 – Without a single image, audio recording, or statement from the survivors, the program Razones de Cuba, hosted by pro-government commentator Humberto López, once again established this Friday the regime’s version … Continue reading “Cuban Television Presents an Implausible Account of the Incident with the Florida Boat in Villa Clara”
The UMAP lasted several years; it is estimated that at least 25,000 young people passed through its camps. 14ymedio, Pedro Corzo, Miami, 31 March 2025 — Cuban filmmaker Lilo Vilaplana and the tireless fighter against Castro’s totalitarianism, Reinold Rodríguez, have committed to bringing to the big screen one of the most painful tragedies suffered by … Continue reading “Cuba’s UMAP Camps or the Slavery of Youth”
The most recent Prisoners Defenders report adds two new prisoners of conscience and subtracts 16, for suicide, expatriation or completing their sentences 14ymedio/EFE, Havana, September 16, 2024 — The number of political prisoners in Cuba barely decreases, according to the latest monthly report of Prisoners Defenders (PD), published on Monday. At the end of August, … Continue reading “Of the 1,105 Political Prisoners in Cuba, 62 Suffer From Mental Disorders”
He did not reveal which country he is in and explained that the authorities took him directly to the plane 14ymedio, Madrid, September 12, 2024 — The Cuban regime forced Cuban activist and former member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), Jorge Cervantes García, into exile last Tuesday. As the opponent himself revealed on … Continue reading “Cuban Activist Jorge Cervantes Is Exiled, Forced by the Regime To Choose Between “Banishment or Prison””
Political prisoner Carlos Michael Morales was hospitalized in Santa Clara on the 21st day of his hunger strike 14ymedio, Madrid, July 11, 2024 — Activist Angélica Garrido was released on Wednesday, July 10, a day before the third anniversary of the 11 July 2021 (’11J’) anti-government protests for which she was imprisoned and after having … Continue reading “Cuban Activist Angélica Garrido Is Released After Serving Three Years in Prison for 11J Protests”
14ymedio, Havana, 11 May 2023 — Prisoners Defenders (PD) denounced this Thursday that at the end of April in Cuban prisons there were 1,048 political prisoners. Although there were 18 fewer than in March, the organization, based in Madrid, points out in its latest monthly report that “more cases of minors have emerged,” and that … Continue reading “Two More Minors Were Registered Among Cuban Political Prisoners in April”
14ymedio, Pedro Corzo, Miami, February 4, 2023 — It’s evident that the Castro leadership, those whom they call moncadistas [the ones who took part in the attack on the Moncada barracks, celebrated every July 26], by their stubbornness in maintaining privileges and fortunes at all costs, don’t cease to reinvent themselves by resorting to any maneuver … Continue reading “‘Bolos’ [Russians] and Yankees in Havana”