#FreeGorki – The Gorki Aguila Case / Lia Villares

The trial schedules for this Tuesday against Gorki Águila, leader of the punk rock band Porno para Ricardo, was postponed because of the health problems of his defense attorney, according to the musician himself on his Facebook page. Gorki spoke about the background of his case with Diario de Cuba.  Gorki, what are they accusing … Continue reading “#FreeGorki – The Gorki Aguila Case / Lia Villares”

The Trials / Lilianne Ruiz

Ángel Santiesteban, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, and Gorki Águila have in common that they dissent from the Cuban regime. The first was tried in a court so lacking in due process guarantees that he was declared by his attorney to be in a state of defenselessness, based on Cuban law. The witnesses for his defense, who … Continue reading “The Trials / Lilianne Ruiz”

The People of Havana Return to Their Routines / Ivan Garcia

Now Eduardo is back. In the wake of the Second CELAC Summit, an omnibus with police and paramedics made a sweep of the beggars who were camping out in Vedado or Old Havana. “I was in a shelter known as La Colonia, in Boyeros municipality (20 kilometers west of the center of the capital). The … Continue reading “The People of Havana Return to Their Routines / Ivan Garcia”

CELAC for Cubans: Indifference and Repression / Ivan Garcia

For Zoila, 38-year old nurse, the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States that is now going on in Havana adds up to “politically correct” speeches, banquets and photos. “It’s more of the same. They talk about poverty, integration and social inclusion while in Cuba inequality grows. It is a cheeky … Continue reading “CELAC for Cubans: Indifference and Repression / Ivan Garcia”

No One Wants to Talk About CELAC / Lilianne Ruiz

HAVANA, Cuba — The morning of the 28th, there were fewer people on the street than any other Tuesday.  Also it was notable that the flow of cars on a street as central as 23rd, in El Vedado, had diminished. Who can find out what is in the heart of the Cuban people, subjected to … Continue reading “No One Wants to Talk About CELAC / Lilianne Ruiz”

A Year Without the White Card (Travel Permit) / Lilianne Ruiz

HAVANA, Cuba, 14 January 2014, www.cubanet.org.- How has the Cuban political scene changed for human rights activists and leaders of the political opposition who have left and returned to Cuba? Is the day after the fall of the Castro regime close? To answer, Cubanet contacted some of the protagonists of this story. Miriam Celaya (blogger … Continue reading “A Year Without the White Card (Travel Permit) / Lilianne Ruiz”

The Law of Those Who Vote With Their Feet / Jose Hugo Fernandez

HAVANA, Cuba, 14 January 2014.www.cubanet.org  – It’s often said that the elimination of the White Card — as the government-issued travel permit was known — has been one of the most significant among the reforms undertaken in Cuba during the dynasty of Castro II. I don’t believe there are a lot of reasons to discuss … Continue reading “The Law of Those Who Vote With Their Feet / Jose Hugo Fernandez”

Humanitarian Demand / Rosa Maria Rodriguez

In recent weeks we have heard some information in the United States media about the possibility of selling medicines produced in Cuba in that country, particularly Heberprot-P, a drug for the treatment of diabetic foot. On the other hand, the Cuban authorities continue to express themselves about the obstacles facing them in buying certain medications … Continue reading “Humanitarian Demand / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”

The Cuban Writers Club / Luis Felipe Rojas

Víctor Domínguez. Photo: Luis Felipe Rojas Men who believe themselves to be free manage to break the bars imposed on them by authoritarian regimes. The Cuban Writers Club (CEC), established in Havana in May 2007, is an initiative that arose from the desire for free literature, poetry out loud, and a way to rub up … Continue reading “The Cuban Writers Club / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Humanitarian Demand / Rafael León Rodríguez

In recent weeks we have heard some information in the United States media about the possibility of selling medicines produced in Cuba in that country, particularly Heberprot-P, a drug for the treatment of diabetic foot. On the other hand, the Cuban authorities continue to express themselves about the obstacles facing them in buying certain medications … Continue reading “Humanitarian Demand / Rafael León Rodríguez”

Antonio Rodiles: Creating an Opposition Movement Within Cuba? / Ivan Garcia

Far from being an association of think tanks or elite academics, Estado de SATS (State of SATS) is a project which brings together the various political and civic points of view to be found within the tiny illegal world of Cuban dissidents. At one of their gatherings a highly regarded opposition figure like Manuel Cuesta Morúa might … Continue reading “Antonio Rodiles: Creating an Opposition Movement Within Cuba? / Ivan Garcia”

The Afrocuban, Past and Present in Cuba / Luis Felipe Rojas

The 12th edition of the magazine Blogger Cubano is already on the street. It is a special edition of more than 80 pages dedicated to the Afrocuban topic — with particular emphasis on the current institutional racsim in Cuba — and a color photo gallery, full size unfolded, from Luis Felipe Rojas and Orlando Luis … Continue reading “The Afrocuban, Past and Present in Cuba / Luis Felipe Rojas”

Cuba’s Civil Society Is Transnational Says Rodiles / David Canela

From left to right: Antonio Rodiles, Roberto de Jesús Guerra, Yaremis Flores, Jorge Olivera, and Manuel Cuesta. Photo by the author. HAVANA, Cuba, July 22, 2013, David Canela/www.cubanet.org — Last Saturday the independent Estado de SATS project sponsored a panel discussion among Cuban civil society activists. The participants included attorney Yaremis Flores, journalist Jorge Olivera (one of seventy-five … Continue reading “Cuba’s Civil Society Is Transnational Says Rodiles / David Canela”

Repression of Dissidents Who Return to the Island

Left to right Juan Antonio Madrazo, Manuel Cuesta Morua and Leonardo Calvo Cardenas Cuban dissidents Leonardo Calvo Cardenas and Juan Antonio Madrazo Luna were detained on the afternoon of Thursday, June 20, on arriving at the Jose Marti International Airport from Havana. In conversation with Martinoiticias, Madrazo added that they took his tablet, two Nokia … Continue reading “Repression of Dissidents Who Return to the Island”

Occupy LASA / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

From Sampsonia Way Magazine. For many years academic study of Latin America in the US has rested on a form of political leftism that brushes aside anyone who won’t comply with the Cuban revolution’s orders. As a result, many intellectuals on the Island have been excluded from Latin American professorships just for having lived in … Continue reading “Occupy LASA / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”