Cuban Internet Users Denounce ‘Intermittent Blocking’ of Social Networks

14ymedio, Havana, 30 November 2020 — “Facebook isn’t working,” “Twitter can’t be opened,” and “WhatsApp messages aren’t going out,” Cuban Internet users denounced over the weekend. Since last Saturday the reports of “intermittent blocking” of social networks have been counted in the hundreds, in addition to interruptions of mobile data services as well as the … Continue reading “Cuban Internet Users Denounce ‘Intermittent Blocking’ of Social Networks”

A Not So "Spontaneous" Gathering in Havana’s Trillo Park

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 30 November 2020 — To the rhythm of pro-government slogans, with great coverage by the official press and the presence of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the event “Tángana en el Trillo. Young people for socialist democracy,” was held this Sunday in Havana, a demonstration in response to recent criticisms from … Continue reading “A Not So "Spontaneous" Gathering in Havana’s Trillo Park”

And the Spark Ignited…

14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 28 November 2020 – Sometimes in the dark, or with only the beams of mobile phones lighting their faces, hundreds of artists have planted themselves in front of the Ministry of Culture in Havana, until the early morning hours this Saturday. The peaceful protest marks a necessary precedent with unpredictable consequences … Continue reading “And the Spark Ignited…”

Carlos Varela: “Cutting the Wings of Freedom of Expression Cannot Continue”

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 26 November 2020 — One week after the start of the hunger strike at the headquarters of the San Isidro Movement to demand freedom for Denis Solís, sentenced to eight months in a summary trial for an alleged crime of contempt, signs of solidarity continue to arrive via the activists of … Continue reading “Carlos Varela: “Cutting the Wings of Freedom of Expression Cannot Continue””

Luz in the Dungeon

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 23 November 2020 — When Luz Escobar was put in the police car after being detained in Havana’s Central Park, she heard the voices of an angry group of people chanting “This street is Fidel’s.” That same refrain encouraged the mob in November 2009, when her father was beaten by a crowd … Continue reading “Luz in the Dungeon”

Denis Solis Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison for ‘Contempt’

14ymedio, Havana, 16 November 2020 — The rapper and government opponent Denis Solís, a member of the San Isidro Movement who was arrested on November 9 on the street, was sentenced to eight months in prison for the crime of “contempt”, as reported in a Facebook video by the artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, coordinator of the collective. … Continue reading “Denis Solis Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison for ‘Contempt’”

Cuban Human Rights Group Denounces Manipulation of Elderly to Participate in Acts of Repudiation

14ymedio, Madrid, November 3rd, 2020 – Up to 11 mob acts of repudiation took place in Cuba this past October, according to data published by the Cuban Human Rights Watch Group, OCDH, meanwhile they point out that, “as poverty grows”, the more government repression increases. Last month, the Madrid-based organization recorded at least 544 repressive … Continue reading “Cuban Human Rights Group Denounces Manipulation of Elderly to Participate in Acts of Repudiation”

The Artist Tania Bruguera Suffers an Act of Repudiation and Insults in Havana

EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, 13 October 2020 —  The artist and activist Tania Bruguera was the object of an “act of repudiation” this Monday in Havana, when several people surrounded, insulted and harassed her until she left the Old Havana neighborhood she was trying to access. “Bitch,” “mercenary,” “filthy” and “get out of here” were some … Continue reading “The Artist Tania Bruguera Suffers an Act of Repudiation and Insults in Havana”

Are We Facing A New Black Spring In Cuba?

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Generation Y, Havana, 11 March 2020 — Seventeen years ago, while the world was focused on watching the invasion of Iraq, the Cuban regime took advantage of the distraction to strike the repressive coup that came to be called the Black Spring. This March, as the international media dedicates its headlines to the … Continue reading “Are We Facing A New Black Spring In Cuba?”

Kcho and Other "Official" Artists Call for the Liberation of Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara

14ymedio, Havana, 9 March 2020 — The movement for the liberation of the artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is growing every day and now includes ’official’ artist such as Alexis Leyva, Kcho, and Silvio Rodríguez. “Let’s stop this now, we don’t need it and Cuba’s future is not censorship,” Kcho writes in a comment posted on … Continue reading “Kcho and Other "Official" Artists Call for the Liberation of Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara”

The Strategy Against Otero Alcantara Seeks to Foster Terror, According to Letter Signatories

14ymedio, Havana, 5 March 2020 — A group of artists, art and literature professionals, editors, journalists and intellectuals from Cuba and other nations signed a letter this week in support of the artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, who as of Wednesday had been detained for 72 hours. The summary trial will be held in less than ten … Continue reading “The Strategy Against Otero Alcantara Seeks to Foster Terror, According to Letter Signatories”

Cuban Television Apologizes for the Censorship of a Gay Kiss

14ymedio, Havana, 1 March 2020 — This Sunday the web portal of Cuban Television, belonging to the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), apologized to viewers after censoring a scene from the film Love, Simon in which two men kissed. “Cuban TV offers an apology to the television audience for the mutilation of the scene of … Continue reading “Cuban Television Apologizes for the Censorship of a Gay Kiss”

Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Will be Tried for ‘Property Damage’

14ymedio, Havana, 3 March 2020 — Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara will be tried in a “summary trial” to be held in less than ten days, according to the members of the San Isidro Movement of which the artist is a member. The movement denounced the coming trial. The authorities arrested Otero Alcantara last Sunday afternoon … Continue reading “Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Will be Tried for ‘Property Damage’”

Challenging Her Dismissal from the Historian’s Office to Denounce "Arbitrariness"

14ymedio, Havana, 10 January 2020 — Claudia Genlui Hidalgo, a worker at the Office of the Historian, was fired at the end of December after giving a talk on independent art at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Genlui filed an appeal with the Attorney General’s Office this week despite her distrust of the usefulness … Continue reading “Challenging Her Dismissal from the Historian’s Office to Denounce "Arbitrariness"”

Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 20 December 2019 — Claudia Genlui Hidalgo, now a former official of the Office of the Historian, has been fired from the agency after presenting a talk on independent art at the embassy of the Czech Republic in Havana, as she denounced to 14ymedio this Thursday, shortly after being notified of her expulsion. “Today … Continue reading “Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk”