English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA For several weeks now the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA has come to be known, a demand which a symbolic number of Cubans — not on behalf of any party or institution, but simply by virtue of citizenship — turned in to … Continue reading “ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA / Mario Barroso”
On the 8th of May, Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia died in Santa Clara, the victim of a beating received on the 5th day (of the month). He had left with me the blow of the news, and my Christian principles inculcated since a I was boy were put to the test. The time was coming … Continue reading “From Eight on Eight / Mario Barosso”
Indubitably most of these testimonies will be about the spiritual liberation of many Cubans. I will join them, but I would like to take the opportunity of this brief space to also thank God for the physical liberation of an elevated number of prisoners that before the celebration of the last three campaigns, and mainly … Continue reading “THE TESTIMONY THAT WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED / Mario Barosso”
The crime committed against Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia has taken an even more treacherous turn as the assassin, upon trying to dust off another death, has used methods so low like releasing a testimony from his sister Rosa who has suffered from psychiatric disorders since her adolescence. She (Rosa) is a person that is greatly … Continue reading “God Despises Lies (Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia) / Mario Barosso”
Washington, Miami, Bilbao and Madrid hosted some of the main events organized by Cuban exile organizations to denounce the repression on the island. 14ymedio, Madrid, July 12, 2026 / Five years after the historic protests of 11 July 2021, Cuban exile organizations commemorated the anniversary this Saturday with vigils, demonstrations and rallies in several cities … Continue reading “Vigils and Marches in Several Countries Commemorated the Fifth Anniversary of Cuba’s ’11J’ Protests.”
Lizandra Góngora declares a hunger strike in protest against Díaz-Canel’s statement that there are no political prisoners 14ymedio, Madrid, April 23, 2026 — “Dad, please get me out of here, I can’t take it anymore.” With these words, Jonathan Muir Burgos called his parents from Canaleta prison (Ciego de Ávila) on Wednesday, at almost 2:00 … Continue reading “Eaten Alive by Bedbugs in a Cuban Prison, 16-Year-Old Jonathan Muir Cries Out: “Dad, Get Me out of Here, I Can’t Take It Anymore.””
The family of Jonathan David Muir Burgos denounces sustained police harassment, while Cubalex reports at least 55 detentions in the latest protests in Cuba. 14ymedio, Havana, March 24, 2026 / The Cuban teenager Jonathan David Muir Burgos, 16, remains detained in a unit of the Technical Department of Investigations in Ciego de Ávila, after being … Continue reading “A Minor Detained After the Morón Protests Is in Prison Under “Inhumane Conditions””
The award is also dedicated to the memory of the broadcaster’s mother, Zoila Esther Chávez, who died while he was in prison. Independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea, a contributor to 14ymedio, is the winner of the Patmos Institute’s annual award, the organization announced Friday. The award, granted unanimously “for his testimonies of genuine faith and … Continue reading “Patmos Award for Cuban Journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea”
Released after 27 years in prison and solitary confinement, Ernesto Borges gives his testimony to 14ymedio. 14ymedio, Mario Félix Lleonart, 2 May 2025 — Since his release from Combinado del Este prison after 27 years in prison, Ernesto Borges hasn’t stopped. Returning home, reuniting with his family, seeing Havana after almost three decades of not … Continue reading “‘My Work in Counterintelligence Helped Me Survive Prison’”
Terrorist groups, such as Hamas, learned from the Cuban dictatorship the art of kidnapping in order to always have prisoners from whom they can profit. 14ymedio, Mario Félix Lleonart Barroso, Washington, 18 January 2025 — The release of prisoners in Cuba in January 2025 as part of a negotiation with the Biden Administration makes me … Continue reading “Those Released From Prison Remain Hostages of the Cuban Regime”
11J prisoner Andy García Lorenzo has been on a hunger strike for 12 days, and his family fears for his life Independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea denounces from prison: “I am kept locked up to silence a critic.” 14ymedio, Madrid, 9 December 2024 — The opponent Maikel Herrera Bones, 48, died at the Pedro Kourí … Continue reading “Opponent Maikel Herrera Bones Dies, Months After Being Hospitalized for Oropouche Fever”
His admission to La Pendiente prison “represents a serious risk to his life,” warns an NGO 14ymedio, Havana, 20 November 2024 — Independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea was transferred on Monday to La Pendiente prison, in Santa Clara. The 14ymedio collaborator had been arrested on November 8 for his alleged participation in the popular protests … Continue reading “Journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea Is Transferred to a Prison in Santa Clara”
Two hunger strikes have left the activist’s weight at 39 kilos (86 pounds), according to nearby sources 14ymedio, Madrid, 23 July 2024 — Independent journalist and political prisoner Carlos Michael Morales has been sentenced to eight months of house arrest in a trial that was finally held on Monday, July 22. The activist, who has … Continue reading “Independent Journalist Carlos Michel Morales Is Sentenced to Eight Months of House Arrest”
Cubalex records a total of 56 deaths “in custody” in two years, since January 2022 14ymedio, Madrid, July 16, 2024 — Independent journalist and political prisoner Carlos Michael Morales has terminated his month-long hunger strike. As reported by Baptist pastor Mario Félix Lleonart on Tuesday on his social networks, Morales announced it from the prison … Continue reading “’11J’ Prisoner Carlos Michael Morales Terminates His Hunger Strike After Receiving a Trial Date”
14ymedio, Havana, January 6, 2024 — An unusual article, which asks for God’s blessing “to the country and the province” during 2024, appeared this Friday in 5 de Septiembre, the Communist Party newspaper in Cienfuegos. The article describes a ceremony in which “numerous religious denominations”, such as the Church of the Foursquare Gospel and the Brethren in … Continue reading “The Official Protestants Appreciate the ‘Facilities’ the Cuban Regime Gives Them in Cienfuegos”