Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer Released From Prison After Negotiations Between the Cuban Regime and the Vatican

José Daniel Ferrer’s release from prison, like that of Luis Robles, was one of the most anticipated since the Cuban regime’s announcement on Tuesday  14ymedio, Havana, 16 January 2025 — José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), was released from prison this Thursday. “I don’t know the conditions, if it was … Continue reading “Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer Released From Prison After Negotiations Between the Cuban Regime and the Vatican”

The Number of Political Prisoners in Cuba Continues To Grow: 1,113 in May

Only five political prisoners were released, “after full compliance with the sanction or measure imposed,” said Prisoners Defenders 14ymedio, Havana, 13 June 2024 — With the arrest of 19 people in May, the Cuban regime has a total of 1,113 political prisoners, according to the most recent report by Prisoners Defenders (PD) published this Thursday. … Continue reading “The Number of Political Prisoners in Cuba Continues To Grow: 1,113 in May”

The “Young Man with the Placard” Receives His First Pass After More Than Three Years in a Cuban Prison

14ymedio, Havana, 23 February 2024 — Luis Robles, the “young man with the placard,” received, on Friday, his first pass since he was sentenced to five years in prison in December 2020 for requesting the release of rapper Denis Solís. His mother, Yindra Elizastigui, published a photograph of Robles, shaved and dressed in civilian clothes, during … Continue reading “The “Young Man with the Placard” Receives His First Pass After More Than Three Years in a Cuban Prison”

‘The Young Man with the Placard’ Will Go to a Lower Security Prison After Almost Three Years of Mistreatment

14ymedio, Havana, August 22, 2023–Luis Robles Elizastigui known as “the young man with the placard” and incarcerated since December 2020 in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana has achieved some relief from his prison conditions and will transfer to a minimum security regimen. As his mother, Yindra Elizastigui, on Monday told CubaNet, the young … Continue reading “‘The Young Man with the Placard’ Will Go to a Lower Security Prison After Almost Three Years of Mistreatment”

Havana’s Central Park Preacher is Left Without an Audience

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 10 February 2022 — A man preached loudly this Wednesday in Havana’s Central Park. Strolling up and down not only through the square but also on San Rafael Boulevard, with a Bible in his hand and tattoos on his skin, he ranted against the Family Code, which the Cuban government … Continue reading “Havana’s Central Park Preacher is Left Without an Audience”

‘Patria y Vida’, The Anthem for Cuban Freedom

14ymedio, Havana, 25 December 2021 — Barely a week had passed since the premiere of the song Patria y Vida (Homeland and Life), in February, when these two words began to be used as a slogan by different opponents of the regime, inside and outside of Cuba. Opposed to the Castroist “homeland or death”, the images extolling the blackness of five artists, … Continue reading “‘Patria y Vida’, The Anthem for Cuban Freedom”

The Trial of the ‘Young Man With the Placard’ Concludes Under a Strong Police Operation in Havana

14ymedio, Havana, 16 December 2021 — The trial of Luis Robles Elizastigui, the “young man with the placard,” lasted almost two hours this Thursday, taking place in the Municipal Court of Marianao, in Havana, under a strong security operation. “The place is full of police, and not only will Luis’ trial be held, there will … Continue reading “The Trial of the ‘Young Man With the Placard’ Concludes Under a Strong Police Operation in Havana”

Andy Garcia’s Lawyer Confirms His Transfer to Guamajal Prison in Villa Clara

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, December 8, 2021 — On Tuesday, Cuban political prisoner Andy García Lorenzo, detained following the protests on July 11th (11J), received a visit from his lawyer at the Guamajal prison in Villa Clara, where he had been transferred last week from La Pendiente prison in that same province. The young man’s … Continue reading “Andy Garcia’s Lawyer Confirms His Transfer to Guamajal Prison in Villa Clara”

‘The Young Man With the Placard’ is Denied Pre-Trial Release for the Fourth Time

14ymedio, Havana, 15 October 2021 — It is the fourth time that the defense of Luis Robles Elizastigui, known as “the young man with the placard,” has been denied a change in his confinement. In a document provided to 14ymedio by his brother, Landy Fernández Elizastigui, the Provincial Court of Havana considers that “the reasons for this measure … Continue reading “‘The Young Man With the Placard’ is Denied Pre-Trial Release for the Fourth Time”

The Defense of the ‘Young Man With the Placard’ Reclaims the Right to Protest

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, August 10, 2021 — Luis Robles Elizastigui, the “young man with the sign” arrested on December 4 during a protest on San Rafael Boulevard in Havana, spent 15 days in a punishment cell in the Combinado del Este prison. This was reported to 14ymedio by his brother, Landy Fernández Elizastigui, who managed to … Continue reading “The Defense of the ‘Young Man With the Placard’ Reclaims the Right to Protest”

Cuban State Security Continues to Harass Activists After the July 11 Protests

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 4 August 2021 — “If you have nothing to hide, come join us, let’s talk”. With the arrogance that characterizes the political police in Cuba, several agents showed up at Sadiel González’s house to take him away this Monday. He’s not the only one. Since July 11th, social networks have been … Continue reading “Cuban State Security Continues to Harass Activists After the July 11 Protests”

In Cuba ‘They Have Taken Away Even Our Freedom to Think’

14ymedio, Havana, July 24, 2021 — Luis Robles, known as the young man with the sign, has been in prison for eight months and, as his brother Landy told 14ymedio, they have again denied the defense request for a change in the precautionary measure of provisional confinement. His trial was scheduled for July 16, but was finally suspended … Continue reading “In Cuba ‘They Have Taken Away Even Our Freedom to Think’”

“I Am Not Afraid, I Will Not Stop Asking for My Brother’s Freedom”

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 7 May 2021 — While Luis Robles Elizastigui was being arrested last December 4th on San Rafael Boulevard for holding a sign that read “Freedom. No more repression. # Free-Denis [Solís]”, his brother Landy spent a working day like any other in the private workshop where he was employed. Since that … Continue reading ““I Am Not Afraid, I Will Not Stop Asking for My Brother’s Freedom””

In Other Times…

14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 22 February 2021 — What are the signs that predict the end of an authoritarian system? What symptoms does a despotic regime show as its decline approaches? These two questions have obsessed me in recent days, in the midst of unprecedented events that have been happening on this Island for weeks. Are they … Continue reading “In Other Times…”

Young Man with Sign Accused of Acts against State Security

14ymedio, Havana, 18 December 2020 — The young man who was arrested on December 4 for protesting with a handmade sign on San Rafael Boulevard in Havana has been charged with “acts against state security.” According to Diario de Cuba the charge was filed by First-Lieutenant Roberto Batista, who issued an order for “temporary detention.” … Continue reading “Young Man with Sign Accused of Acts against State Security”