Raul Castro, you fear being unmasked / Antonio Rodiles

Your speech at the extraordinary ALBA summit reconfirms that you and your group are going to try to hold onto power at all costs. It doesn’t matter if the Cuban people are sunk in misery and desperation, it doesn’t matter if your children continue to escape this disaster, you people intend to remain and to … Continue reading “Raul Castro, you fear being unmasked / Antonio Rodiles”

Rosa Maria Paya For the Future of All Cubans Without Castro

In recent years my country has been engaged in a deception. The Cuban government is changing the Law, but ignoring the rights of the people, which were sequestered over half a century ago. More people are allowed to enter and leave the country, but the regime decides who can enjoy this “privilege”. The migratory reform … Continue reading “Rosa Maria Paya For the Future of All Cubans Without Castro”

Reentry to Cuba Includes a Conversation with State Security / Eliecer Avila

Eliecer Avila, 26 February 2015 — After having “conversations” like these, I always ask myself is it is worth the trouble to publish an account of them or not. I do not like even giving these people the impression that I have blabbed about everything. But I also believe not publishing such accounts only hurts … Continue reading “Reentry to Cuba Includes a Conversation with State Security / Eliecer Avila”

Why Raul Castro Will Not Allow Political Discourse / Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, Havana, 31 January 2015 — After secret negotiations with his lifelong enemy lasting a year and a half, General Raul Castro seems to have come out ahead early in the game. But Barack Obama has been shrewd. He is playing for the long-term and has a different perspective and strategy. The United States thinks and … Continue reading “Why Raul Castro Will Not Allow Political Discourse / Ivan Garcia”

“Check out how free this country is!” / 14ymedio, Victor Ariel Gonzalez

14ymedio, Victor Ariel Gonzalez, Havana, 29 January 2015 — “In Vietnam, Yoani Sanchez would be in prison,” says Rafael Hernandez, editor of the magazine Temas (Topics), comparing the Cuban regime with the Vietnamese one. And he adds: “Check out how free this country is!” According to the official researcher, Cuban bloggers “are arrested and released, … Continue reading ““Check out how free this country is!” / 14ymedio, Victor Ariel Gonzalez”

“I Live Happy Because I Live Without Fear” / 14ymedio, El Sexto

El Sexto tells of his incarceration in the Valle Grande prison 14YMEDIO, Havana, 28 January 2015 — Danilo Maldonado, the graffiti artist known as El Sexto, finished a month in prison this January 25. He was arrested while riding in a taxi whose trunk was carrying two live pigs. The animals were painted green and … Continue reading ““I Live Happy Because I Live Without Fear” / 14ymedio, El Sexto”

Yes to Regulation, No to Control / 14ymedio, Henry Constantin

14ymedio, Henry Constantin, Camagüey, 21 January 2015 — I interviewed Fernando Pérez in a small room of that little movie theater is still left in Camagüey one day after the premiere of his latest production, La pared de las palabras (Wall of Words), a stellar film about which I didn’t ask a single question. I … Continue reading “Yes to Regulation, No to Control / 14ymedio, Henry Constantin”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, from Cuba / Mario Lleonart

Although today [15 January] is a holiday only in the USA, I also in my own way celebrate it in Cuba. Why not join in the celebration of the birth of the Baptist pastor and fighter for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr.? His life is inspirational for many of us, including me, who every … Continue reading “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, from Cuba / Mario Lleonart”

Behind the Performances / Cubanet, Miriam Celaya

To think that the “common Cuban on the street” –not the dissidents or the usual disobedient individuals- would spontaneously make use of the open microphones at “that” Square, to demand rights from the government is naive, a utopia. The idea is beautiful and romantic, but far, far away from reality. HAVANA, Cuba. – During the final days of 2014 and the first three of … Continue reading “Behind the Performances / Cubanet, Miriam Celaya”

The Communist Party in the New Cuba / Cubanet, Rafael Alcides

Cubanet, Rafael Alcides, Havana, 13 January 2015 — Following the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, Havana has become a cauldron of ideas about how we could have elections by secret and direct ballot – an exciting thing to contemplate. Many here see it happening right around the corner, maybe within a few … Continue reading “The Communist Party in the New Cuba / Cubanet, Rafael Alcides”

The opponent Antonio Rodiles is not allowed to leave Cuba / Cubanet

Cubanet, 13 January 2015 – The director of the opposition group Estado de SATS, Antonio G. Rodiles, reported Tuesday that the regime has refused to allow him to leave the country, as stated in his account on the social network Twitter. The opponent was arrested the day of Tania Bruguera’s performance, with his wife, Ailer … Continue reading “The opponent Antonio Rodiles is not allowed to leave Cuba / Cubanet”

“The canonization of historical figures continues” / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 10 January 2015 – Outside the Galiano gallery in Central Havana yesterday, dozens of people gathered to enter the Añejo 27 [Aged 27] exposition. Some passersby were puzzled by the reasons for the tumult, perhaps thinking that eggs or pork had come to the ration stores. However, it’s “just art,” one … Continue reading ““The canonization of historical figures continues” / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”

“We have a great vocation to commit the same mistakes” / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, 6 January 2015 – Longing and love for Cuba have been a constant in her life. Sociology professor, scholar of Cuban history, and promoter of initiatives to bring “the two shores” closer, Marifeli Perez-Stable is a woman who raises passions and whose prose has the ability to make us reflect. Decades ago … Continue reading ““We have a great vocation to commit the same mistakes” / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”

One Day for Cuba / 14ymedio

[Note: One of more of the videos have English subtitles, but most are in Spanish] 14ymedio, 6 January 2015 – One Day For Cuba is the name of a new independent action from #YoExijo that takes the spirit of Tania Bruguera’s performance to appeal to the Cuban Government, and to a lesser extent to the … Continue reading “One Day for Cuba / 14ymedio”

Political repression increases in Cuba during the month of December, according to CCHRNC / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 5 January 2015 — According to its monthly report, during the month of December the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and reconciliation (CCDHRN) registered at least 489 arbitrary arrests for political reasons, closing out 2014 with at least 8,899 arrests for the year.