English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
People of Cuba, people from Camaguey, and all compatriots: We are a group of peaceful human rights activists and pro-democracy opponents who today have met in the already emblematic Saratoga neighborhood in the city of Camaguey, where after fruitful exchange and work meeting, we are launching to the world this historic declaration in which we … Continue reading “Declaration of Saratoga / Jorge Luis Garcia – Antunez”
The following article from yesterday is from “Pedazos de la Isla” (Pieces of the Island) — a news-blog in Spanish and English that keeps a special eye on El Oriente in Cuba (Eastern Cuba). Today the news continues to worsen with 17-year-old Enrique Lozada, striking to protest the unjust detention of his father, close to … Continue reading “Child Hunger Striker Close to Death”
So the CLICK Festival ended well in Havana. It must seem incredible to have a technology Festival without access to the Internet. This didn’t weaken the perception of breathing fresh air in Cuba. Metamorphosing, formatting, restarting, because we are getting old and the speed at which the world moves seems inconsistent with this sluggish reality. … Continue reading “Connecting as Fast as You Can Click… / Lilianne Ruíz”
I wanted to say hello to Jose Daniel Ferrer of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), the next time he was in Havana. On Monday I learned that police had kidnapped him while he walked down a street of the capital, and sent him by force to Santiago de Cuba. How frightened they are of … Continue reading “Serene Among the Vile / Lilianne Ruíz”
I knew they would go after him. When I spoke with José Daniel Ferrer for the first time, by phone, I immediately noticed his exceptionality. Shortly after, we talked around the table in our house and this impression was further confirmed. While outside night was coming on, the man from Palmarito de Cauto told us … Continue reading “Why José Daniel? / Yoani Sánchez”
14ymedio, Havana, 8 May 2017 – The number of political prisoners has doubled this year, according to the most recent report from the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), which counts 140 people charged for these reasons in April, compared to 70 for the same months in 2016. The organization’s monthly accounting … Continue reading “Number of Political Prisoners Doubles In Last Year, According To Human Rights Group”
14ymedio, Havana, 13 January 2017 — Matilde sold her home just two weeks ago to pay for the immigration route to the United States. Thursday, the hope of achieving her dreams burst when president Barack Obama put an end to the wet foot/dry foot policy that granted legal residency to Cubans who reached the United States. … Continue reading “Washington Closes The Escape Valve / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 27 December 2016 — The Cuban parliament unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday stating that the name of the deceased former president Fidel Castro cannot be used to designate public spaces and it is forbidden to market his image. “They want to keep the image of Fidel Castro with that halo … Continue reading “Fidel Castro’s Name And Image Are Enveloped In Prohibitions / 14ymedio, Mario Penton”
Fariñas’ Letter to Raul Castro Santa Clara, Cuba, 20 July 2016 General of the Army Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Sir: Yesterday, on 19 July of the present year, I was tortured while handcuffed by troops of the Special Brigade of the Ministry … Continue reading “Guillermo Fariñas Letter to Raul Castro”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, 21 March 2016 — A group of government opponents and activists from independent Cuban civil society have scheduled a meeting with President Barack Obama on Tuesday morning. This newspaper has contacted three of them to ask them what they plan to say at that meeting. Jose Daniel Ferrer is one of the eleven … Continue reading “The Independent Voices Obama Will Hear From / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
14medio, Havana, 17 December 2015 – Early this morning State Security arrested Jose Daniel Ferrer at the national headquarters of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), in Havana, according to sources of the opposition organization. Several UNPACU activists denounced through the social networks that the assault was carried out violently early in the morning after military … Continue reading “Jose Daniel Ferrer Arrested at UNPACU Headquarters in Havana / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 16 July 2015 – Cuba’s Civil Society Open Forum launched a call for a plural and inclusive dialog at one of its regular meetings, on 16 July, in which it sent a letter to Pope Francis and a statement about the increasing repression of the Ladies in White and other activists. The request … Continue reading “Civil Society Open Forum Asks Pope Francis to Meet with Representatives of Civil Society / 14ymedio”
No blogger, no cry. Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo 1 In the beginning was the Blog. 2 But blogs were formless and empty. 3 Repression was all over the blogosphere. 4 And the citizens saw the blogs were good. 5 So that lacking other channels of expression, the Cuban civil society occupied blogosphere as a tool for … Continue reading “No blogger, no Obama / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
14ymedio, Santiago de Cuba, 18 December 2014 — The news of the reestablishment of relations between Cuba and the United States has been embraced by opposition organizations in Cuba with optimism and hope that this agreement may facilitate the establishment of a dialogue between the Government and civil society on the island. The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), in … Continue reading “The opposition hopes that a dialogue will open between the Government and civil society / 14ymedio”
14YMEDIO, Havana, 12 August 2014 — The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and the Pinero Autonomous Party (PAP) formalized an alliance Monday in Santiago de Cuba. Speaking to 14ymedio, José Daniel Ferrer, executive secretary of UNPACU said that both organizations share a commitment to strengthening the activities of the nonviolent struggle and invite smaller groups to join the … Continue reading “New Alliance Between Dissident Groups / 14ymedio”