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”

Activists and CADAL Prepare a Forum Parallel to the CELAC Summit in Havana

The Democracy Bridge Program of the Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL) and internal dissidents activists have organized the Second Democratic Forum on International Relations and Human Rights, which they are planning to coincide in Havana with the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The Summit … Continue reading “Activists and CADAL Prepare a Forum Parallel to the CELAC Summit in Havana”

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”

They’re Already Arriving / Reinaldo Escobar

Eliecer Avila arriving back in Cuba after traveling in Europe and the United States. Last night Eliecer Avila returned, they tell me that today Berta Soler is coming, and Thursday we will greet Yoani and then the others will return: Guillermo Fariñas, Wilfredo Vallín, Juan Antonio Madrazo, Manuel Cuesta… and while some arrive others will … Continue reading “They’re Already Arriving / Reinaldo Escobar”

The United Nations Covenants Should Be Included in the Laws of the Nation / Estado de Sats, For Another Cuba

By Pablo Pascual Méndez Piña HAVANA, Cuba, February 23, 2013 (Pablo Pascual Méndez / www.cubanet.org). Coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, the first meeting of Estado de Sats in 2013 was held on Saturday at its headquarters on 1st Street between 46 and 60, in the Havana neighborhood of … Continue reading “The United Nations Covenants Should Be Included in the Laws of the Nation / Estado de Sats, For Another Cuba”