English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Havana, 6 September 2021 — The artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who has now spent 53 days in prison, was charged with new crimes on Monday. The curator Claudia Genluí, a member of the San Isidro Movement (MSI), reported that Otero Alcántara is now being accused of public disorder, instigation to commit a crime and … Continue reading “Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara is Charged With New Crimes”
14ymedio, Havana, 27 August 2021 — Cuban reggaetoner Roberto Hidalgo Puentes, known as Yomil, launched De Cuba soy* this Thursday, a song that he described as “the most important of my career” and which he dedicates to the July 11 protests and to claiming his roots. The video was launched at 5 pm on the YouTube platform and … Continue reading “‘Let the Abuse of Power End’ Demands Cuban Artist Yomil with His New Video Clip”
14ymedio, Havana, 18 July 2021 — A man, identified as Ernesto Frank Sánchez Aguilar, shouted “libertad!” this Saturday shortly before the start of the official ceremony on Havana’s Malecon. The demonstrator was beaten and taken away from the place by several members of the State Security, as seen in a video released by the foreign … Continue reading “No News of Man Violently Arrested After Shouting ‘Libertad!’ at Official Rally in Cuba”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 2 March 2021 — He alternates his gaze between the road and the camera recording him. He smiles. He flaunts the luxurious vehicle that he drives at high speed and tosses phrases at a spectator he assumes must be salivating at such luxury. The protagonist of this scene could be any … Continue reading “Cuba’s Worst ‘New Man’: With a Luxury Car, a Powerful Surname and Little Education”
14ymedio, Havana, August 16, 2020 — The financial institution Fincimex announced that beginning this Monday, it won’t accept new requests for AIS (American International Service) debit cards, used to receive remittances and make purchases in the hard-currency stores that were recently opened for the sale of food and personal hygiene and cleaning products. “It’s reported … Continue reading “Cuban Financial Institution Won’t Issue New Debit Cards Because of Shortages of Many Products”
14ymedio, Fernando Donate Ochoa, Holguín, June 27, 2020 — Miguel envisioned his prosperous business going bankrupt when authorities announced on March 2 that, due to Covid-19, residents of Cuba would not be able to travel abroad until further notice. He now fears that travel and import restrictions will remain in place long after the pandemic … Continue reading “Mules Fear New Customs Restrictions May Be Permanent”
14ymedio, Havana, 18 June 2020 — The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) believes that the chapter dedicated to Cuba in the Annual Report on Human Rights of the European Union (EU), released this week, is a step forward in the European approach to the situation on the island. In a statement released Thursday, the OCDH highlights that the … Continue reading “New EU Human Rights report, a Step Forward in Approach to Cuba”
14ymedio, Havana, 2 October 2019 — A new organization has emerged to give continuity to the work carried out for decades by the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN). That is the stated purpose of the Cuban Center for Human Rights (CCDH). In its founding statement it is stated that the objective … Continue reading “A New Organization is Born to Track Human Rights Violations in Cuba”
EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, 9 July 2019 — The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) reports that the social and economic situation in Cuba worsened in the first six months of 2019. The group also denounced the absence of “positive changes” with regards to citizens’ political rights. The report will be delivered to the headquarters … Continue reading “14ymedio Headline News Summary: Human Rights Groups Denounces Risk of Famine in Cuba”
14ymedio, Havana, 19 April 2018 — With his gray suit and contented smile, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez rose from his chair to applause when his name resonated on Wednesday in the Cuban Parliament as the only candidate for president of the Council of State. To reach that moment, this 57-year-old electrical engineer spent years of discreet ascent … Continue reading “Miguel Díaz-Canel, The Man Who Knew How To Wait”
Havana Times, Lynn Cruz, 7 March 2018 — “Oprah Winfrey, one of the world’s best neoliberal capitalist thinkers,” is a critical essay by Nicole Aschoff for The Guardian newspaper about the speech Winfrey gave at the latest edition of the Golden Globes. While reading it, and as a result of Aschoff’s brilliant analysis, I could … Continue reading “Cuban Socialism’s New Man in Havana’s Capitolio / Lynn Cruz”
14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 1 March 2018 — Yojany Pérez, known as Mamerto, has afro style braids, piercings and likes extreme sports. He works fixing air conditioners and also has his own business making candy, which he delivers around Havana at top speed on his skateboard, wearing a T-shirt with the word ‘Libertad’ on it. Mamerto, … Continue reading “The ‘New Man’ Travels Havana on a Skateboard”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 8 April 2017 – Walking along the streets with Eliécer Ávila can be a complicated task. His face is well known thanks to a viral video broadcast almost a decade ago. However, before fame came into his life, this young man born in Las Tunas was a model “New Man”: the most finished … Continue reading “Eliécer Ávila, The ‘New Man’ Who Became An Opponent”
14ymedio, Yosmany Mayeta Labradea, Havana, 2 February 2017 — After three years of being closed to the public, the viewpoint of the José Martí Memorial in the Plaza of the Revolution reopened its doors on Wednesday. The highest point in Havana has been out or service for domestic and foreign visitors since the elevator broke after … Continue reading “The José Martí Memorial Viewpoint Reopens To The Public With A New Elevator / 14ymedio, Yosmany Mayeta Labrada”
Juan Juan Almeida, 24 January 2017 — Hours after the Obama administration said good-bye to what was the “wet foot/dry foot” policy, in Cuba the recently named Minister of the Interior, the new man in charge of guarding the secrets and security of the State, Julio Cesar Gandrilla Bermejo, orders a braking, a review and … Continue reading “Gandrilla Launches His Mandate at MINIT With New Orders / Juan Juan Almeida”
