Search results for: 11 July

2012-2013 School Year: Student Dead, Assasinated and Judgment Escaped / Dora Leonor Mesa #Cuba

Someday the sun will shine In my backyard… The Shining by Stephen King In the clear air it seems that imagination comes alive, leaving the reins of reason. Every day, Raisa Medina sees her son return from school to go out play again, while sky and vegetation lazily spin with a slow roll, an idle … Continue reading “2012-2013 School Year: Student Dead, Assasinated and Judgment Escaped / Dora Leonor Mesa #Cuba”

The Effect on My Life of the Death of Oswaldo Paya / Mario Lleonart

The sacrifice of the precious life of Oswaldo Jose Paya Sardinas and of so many other martyrs that have preceded him in this type of targeted assassination, far from terrorizing me, stimulates me to continue forward in my ministry which cannot exclude the condemnation of this despotic regime. When I said goodbye to my friend Juan … Continue reading “The Effect on My Life of the Death of Oswaldo Paya / Mario Lleonart”

Cuba Allows Cooperatives in Various Economic Activities / Yoani Sanchez #Cuba

This Tuesday a new Decree-Law went into effect in Cuba, gradually expanding cooperatives. In a preliminary state it is expected to contribute to the creation of more than 200 associations of this type throughout the country. Since the last session of the National Assembly, in July of this year, we have been awaiting the implementation … Continue reading “Cuba Allows Cooperatives in Various Economic Activities / Yoani Sanchez #Cuba”

Paya’s Funerals / Mario Barroso #Cuba

I always had the dream of getting to know that worker whose speech on receiving the Sakharov prize I heard live from Hapsburg, vibrant with excitement thanks to the magic of radio. I never thought of a future post-Castro Cuba with Payá physically absent. Much less did I imagine it on that Sunday morning of … Continue reading “Paya’s Funerals / Mario Barroso #Cuba”

Amnesty International Calls for the Release of Antonio Rodiles — Letter Campaign, YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW

URGENT ACTION CUBAN MAN TARGETED FOR GOVERNMENT CRITICISM Government critic Antonio Rodiles has been charged with “resisting authority”. It is believed the charges may be used to punish and prevent his peaceful criticism of Cuban government policies. A coordinator of a civil society initiative calling on the government to ratify international human rights treaties, Antonio … Continue reading “Amnesty International Calls for the Release of Antonio Rodiles — Letter Campaign, YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW”

An Assessment of the Cuban Government’s Management Over the Last Six Years / Dimas Castellano

Four decades after taking power through revolution in 1959, the factors which made totalitarianism in Cuba possible have reached their limit. The populist measures imposed during the first years after the revolution were accompanied by the dismantling of civil society and a process of government takeover which began with foreign-owned companies and did not end … Continue reading “An Assessment of the Cuban Government’s Management Over the Last Six Years / Dimas Castellano”

Raul Castro Avoids the Ibero-American Summit in Cadiz / Yoani Sanchez

People visiting Havana for the first time agree on the similarities of this city with Cadiz. The cultural similarities and certain visual resemblances tie the Cuban capital to its Andalusian first cousin. The presence of the sea, some of the architectural style, and the open behavior of its people, complete the embrace. But not even … Continue reading “Raul Castro Avoids the Ibero-American Summit in Cadiz / Yoani Sanchez”

My Brother Antonio Rodiles / Gladys Rodiles-Haney

By Gladys Rodiles-Haney My brother Antonio Enrique González-Rodiles Fernández was born in Havana on July 21, 1972. He attended primary and secondary school in Havana, and graduated from the “Marcelo Salado” National School of Swimming where he belonged to the National Team. From when he was little, arbitrariness bothered him. When he was a boy … Continue reading “My Brother Antonio Rodiles / Gladys Rodiles-Haney”

Freedom of Conscience / Cuban Law Association, Odalina Guerrero Lara

By Lic. Odalina Guerrero Lara In Article 55 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, it establishes that: the State, that recognizes, respects and guarantees freedom of conscience… There is no doubt as to these three aspects: RECOGNIZE, RESPECT AND GUARANTEE on the part of the State for Freedom of Conscience. What I learned … Continue reading “Freedom of Conscience / Cuban Law Association, Odalina Guerrero Lara”

There are no free elections without free people, free citizens, free men and free women / Oswaldo Paya

We are on the eve of new elections in Cuba. And I am reminded that the first law issued in Sierra Maestra during the anti-Batista insurrection before the elections scheduled in 1958, was a death penalty law. It was designed to punish with death those who took part in the elections. It also punished those … Continue reading “There are no free elections without free people, free citizens, free men and free women / Oswaldo Paya”

Castro vs. Castro / Ivan Garcia

If we compare the style of governance of the Castros during their respective terms in office from a bird’s eye view, we would make a serious mistake in believing the two autocrats are much the same. You don’t need a magnifying glass to see the differences. What are the similarities? Well, the duo have authoritarianism … Continue reading “Castro vs. Castro / Ivan Garcia”

When an Opponent Dies / Rafael Rojas, Voices Magazine

This past Sunday, July 22, Cubadebate, the Cuban Communist Party’s digital page Cubadebate published a police blotter style note in which was reported an auto accident in the eastern city of Bayama, which an individual of the name Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, “resident of Havana,” had lost his life. This was all the information Cubadebate offered … Continue reading “When an Opponent Dies / Rafael Rojas, Voices Magazine”

Voices Magazine No. 16: Tribute to Oswaldo Paya / Tracey Eaton

Four days before Oswaldo Payá was killed, I drove past the exact spot where his rented blue Hyundai slammed into a tree. I didn’t find out about the crash until I was en route to Florida on July 22. I had known Payá for many years and was saddened to hear of his death. Quiet … Continue reading “Voices Magazine No. 16: Tribute to Oswaldo Paya / Tracey Eaton”

Executions in Alphabetical Order / Dora Leonor Mesa

It does not matter if you are superstitious or not. In Cuba anything can happen; even the most unimaginable of things.The three Parcas, the Fates, are out on recess in Cuba. Why deny that they are interested in the Spanish alphabet to cut the threads of their canvases? What will be the next choice? Silliness?? … Continue reading “Executions in Alphabetical Order / Dora Leonor Mesa”

What Does a President Do? / Yoani Sanchez

The question of the title was inspired by Fidel Castro himself when, on March 28 of this year, he asked Benedict XVI, “What does a Pope do?” Beyond the childishness of the question, it made me reflect on what any president would say if we inquired about his agenda, how a dignitary would narrate his … Continue reading “What Does a President Do? / Yoani Sanchez”