English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, January 30, 2019 — First of all, I must confess: I don’t agree with any religion. I hardly have metaphysical doubts, which doesn’t even allow me to classify myself as an atheist. I have always believed that religions are a kind of discipline for the spirit and that mine is notoriously … Continue reading “The Obligations of the Church”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 26 July 2019 — The commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada Barracks, on July 26th, was the confirmation that Miguel Díaz-Canel is, definitely, the one chosen to remain in command of the country as a stand in for the historical generation. The president himself implied in his … Continue reading “’The 26th’ of Cuban President Diaz-Canel”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 19 February 2019 — The newly released book “Sodom: Power and Scandal in the Vatican” can be taken as a scandalous revelation for some or as the confirmation of their suspicions by others. Either way, the 600 pages of the book will create a buzz about the inner life of seminars … Continue reading “Sodom: The Cuban Chapter”
14ymedio, Mario Penton, 7 April 2018 — “I’m surprised, I never would have imagined it.” The grave voice at the other end of the telephone line is that of Silvano Pedroso Montalvo, who seems not to have gotten over his astonishment a week after Pope Francis appointed him bishop of the diocese of Guantanamo-Baracoa. About to turn … Continue reading “Cuba’s First Black Bishop is a "Street" Priest”
14ymedio, Havana, 24 January 2018 — Three Catholic priests have addressed a letter to President Raul Castro in which they ask the president to let Cubans “choose in freedom,” not vote. In this way, the priests warn, the island will have “different” political options to “prevent that one day, given whatever circumstances, Cuba is submerged in … Continue reading “Three Priests Ask Raúl Castro For Real Elections To “Avoid Violent Changes””
Primavera Digital, Eduardo Martínez Rodríguez, El Cerro, Havana, 6 November 2017 — I’ve just finished reading an eBook (which has never been published in Cuba) written by someone who was detained in Cuba’s infamous “Military Units to Aid Production” [known by their acronym in Spanish as UMAP], who endured all of the bloody sordidness of … Continue reading “Poor Memory? / Eduardo Martínez Rodríguez”
14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 27 October 2017 — “The Catholic Church in Cuba has a future of hope because despite the forces that have wanted to sow hatred in the Cuban nation, love has always triumphed.” This was the central message of Father José Conrado Rodríguez, presbyter of the church of San Francisco de Paula in … Continue reading ““This Soul of a Wounded People is The Worst Thing That Castroism Has Left Us””
14ymedio, Havana, 3 November 2016 — On Thursday morning former political prisoner Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique died in Havana at age 74 after a long battle with cancer. The funeral of the regime opponent, sentenced to 18 years in prison during the Black Spring of 2003, will take place at 7:50 pm on Friday after a wake … Continue reading “Former Cuban Political Prisoner Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique Dies / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 31 July 2016 – Since the proclamation in which Fidel Castro temporarily delegated power on 31 July 2006, the former president has met with two popes, has received visits several European, Asian and Latin American leaders and has written hundreds of articles under the title “Reflections.” However, his role in the daily lives … Continue reading “Chronology: Ten Years Without Fidel Castro / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana – The director of Palabra Nueva (New Word) magazine, Orlando Marquez, has resigned his post as spokesperson for the Havana Archdiocese, according to a statement released this Thursday. The spokesperson for Cardinal Jaime Ortega says that he has made the decision “for strictly personal reasons.” “I believe in the need for change and renewal,” … Continue reading “Orlando Marquez Resigns As Spokesman For The Archdiocese Of Havana / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2015 — He was working as an electrical engineer specializing in telecommunications when, in 1980, he decided to assume the habit. Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez was born in 1945, and as a deacon did his first outstanding work alongside Father Jose Conrado Rodriguez in the preparations for the Cuban Ecclesial Reflection, which … Continue reading “Cuban Faces of 2015: Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba / 14ymedio”
Ivan Garcia, 17 September 2015 — For Nicolás Sarmientos, 73, making his usual rounds between the farm market, the bodega and the carters who sell fruits and vegetables in Havana is almost an extreme sport. Although in theory we are knocking on the door of autumn, in Cuba the thermometers are soaring. The Meteorological Institute announced … Continue reading “Cuba Awaits the Pope in Record Heat and Repression / Ivan Garcia”
Reinaldo Escobar, Mexico, 15 September 2015 – Two convocations have been made to the Cuban people asking them to receive Pope Francis, one from the Communist Party, and one from Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the Archbishop of Havana. Both give details of the apostolic visit of the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and the Head of … Continue reading “Crossed Convocations to Receive the Pope / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
14ymedio, Havana, 6 June 2015 — The opposition leader Martha Beatriz Roque witnessed the controversial incident that occurred last Thursday, 2 July, at the residence of the head of the United States Interests Section in Havana, during the celebrations of that country’s Independence Day. A group of government opponents rebuked Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino for … Continue reading “Martha Beatriz Roque: “In Cuba there are political prisoners, but they don’t all appear on the lists” / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 3 July 2015 — The traditional celebration offered by the US Interests Section in Havana, on the anniversary of the Independence of the United States, had on this occasion a special connotation for being the first one to take place following the announcement of restoration of relations between that country and Cuba, … Continue reading “Independence Day / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya”
