Pope On Dissidents In Cuba: “I Did Not Give Audiences To Anyone” / EFE, 14ymedio

EFE (14ymedio), Aboard the Papal plane, 22 September 2015 — Pope Francis said Tuesday that during his stay in Cuba he had no plans to grant audiences to “anyone,” on being questioned about why he had not held a meeting with members of the Cuban dissidence. On board the papal plane the pontiff added that … Continue reading “Pope On Dissidents In Cuba: “I Did Not Give Audiences To Anyone” / EFE, 14ymedio”

Will the Pope Swallow the Castros’ Bait? / Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, 19 September 2015 — Right at noon on Thursday, September 17, two enormous Soviet-era KP3 trucks filled with trash were rumbling along Tenth of October Avenue towards the garbage dump on 100th Street in eastern Havana, escorted by a bulldozer and a police motorcycle. Orestes, a community worker, has labored for twelve hours every … Continue reading “Will the Pope Swallow the Castros’ Bait? / Ivan Garcia”

Dozens Of Activists Detained To Prevent Them From Attending Pope’s Mass / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 20 September 2015 — Opposition groups have reported dozens of arrests during the late night and morning hours of Sunday, to prevent many activists from attending Pope Francis’s Mass at the Plaza of the Revolution. The number of people arrested could exceed thirty, according to Elizardo Sanchez, president of the Cuban Commission for … Continue reading “Dozens Of Activists Detained To Prevent Them From Attending Pope’s Mass / 14ymedio”

“Paya Was An Example Of Dedication And Persistence” / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 22 July 2015 — Three years after the death of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, 14ymedio has collected the opinions of some Cuban activists who knew the leader of the Christian Liberation Movement. They is people who shared with him projects and risks, who admired or were inspired by his civic labor. Let these seven testimonies serve … Continue reading ““Paya Was An Example Of Dedication And Persistence” / 14ymedio”

Activists Will Help Users In Wifi Areas In Santiago de Cuba And Havana / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 21 July 2015 — A few weeks since the opening of 35 wireless Internet access zones throughout the country, activists announced a project to help people connect to the web. The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) circulated a text on Monday in which it explains that the organization will provide services “to anyone interested … Continue reading “Activists Will Help Users In Wifi Areas In Santiago de Cuba And Havana / 14ymedio”

Cuban Police Arrest More Than 220 Dissidents, According To Activists / Hablemos Press, Roberto de Jesús Guerra

Hablemos Press, Roberto de Jesús Guerra Peréz, Havana, 29 June 2015 — Offices of the National Police, the Department of State Security, and other members of the Interior Ministry arrested at least 226 Cuban activists and dissidents this past Sunday, 28 June, 2015. Police operations were carried out in various provinces of the country to … Continue reading “Cuban Police Arrest More Than 220 Dissidents, According To Activists / Hablemos Press, Roberto de Jesús Guerra”

Cuban Opposition Prepares its Proposals for the Summit of the Americas / 14ymedio

Representatives of civil society meeting in Madrid agree on a set of strategies for 2015 14ymedio, Madrid, 6 March 2015 — Cuban dissidents, gathered in Madrid on Thursday and Friday at the Transitions in Latin American Societies conference, have agreed on a set of actions for 2015.Their proposals include: Implement actions to maintain the demands … Continue reading “Cuban Opposition Prepares its Proposals for the Summit of the Americas / 14ymedio”

Cuban Civil Society Open Forum Holds Third Meeting / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 25 February 2015 – The Cuban Civil Society Open Forum held its third meeting this Wednesday with 25 people attending, among them activists, opponents and members of civic groups. The first point on the agenda was the approval of a document titled “Ethical Path for Cuban Civil Society,” which lays out the basic … Continue reading “Cuban Civil Society Open Forum Holds Third Meeting / 14ymedio”

Do Cuba and the United States Need to Rebuild Trust? / Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, 20 February 2015 — Fifty Cuban and foreign journalists attended the press conference that a delegation of congressional Democrats headed by Nancy Pelosi held on the afternoon of Thursday, February 19 outside the residence of Lynn Roche, the U.S. Interest Section’s public affairs officer. Nancy Pelosi, born in Maryland in 1940, traveled to Havana … Continue reading “Do Cuba and the United States Need to Rebuild Trust? / Ivan Garcia”

Cuban Dissidents: Some in the Trenches, Others Applauding / Ivan Garcia

Iván García, 27 January 2015 — The shifting political landscape of the Middle East is probably more complicated. No doubt it is. But given the spectacular diplomatic about-face on December 17 between Cuba and the United States — two sparring nations huddled in their respective trenches since the Cold War — the White House was not expecting … Continue reading “Cuban Dissidents: Some in the Trenches, Others Applauding / Ivan Garcia”

The spy who never wanted to be one / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

The unusual story of ‘Granma’ journalist sentenced to 14 years in prison 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Santiago de Cuba, 27 January 2015 — Just outside the building, a ditch carries sewage down the street. Several children jump from side to side of the stinking canal which later runs through Micro 7, a neighborhood in the José Martí … Continue reading “The spy who never wanted to be one / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”

US Congressional delegation meets with Cuban activists and independent journalists /14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 19 January 2015 — On Sunday afternoon a dozen activists and representatives of Cuban civil society met with the American congressional delegation visiting Cuba. Chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy, the group was able hear diverse opinions in response to the announcement of the reestablishment of relations between the two countries. A member of the … Continue reading “US Congressional delegation meets with Cuban activists and independent journalists /14ymedio”

Forum for Rights and Freedoms / Estado de Sats (see endnote)

Announcements made by United States President Barack Obama and his administration have sparked an intense controversy about the Cuban conflict. Many opponents and civil society activists, within the island and in exile, have lamented, especially, the lack of transparency and the unilateral and unconditional nature of the new measures. It is indisputable and indispensable that … Continue reading “Forum for Rights and Freedoms / Estado de Sats (see endnote)”

The Sword of Raul Castro / Luis Felipe Rojas

All said and done, more than half of a list of 53 political prisoners that nobody knows are already free, completely secret and that nobody we ask clarifies for us. Of the fifty who were out, I have the list of 36 prisoners who were surprised to be free again, without formal charges and under … Continue reading “The Sword of Raul Castro / Luis Felipe Rojas”

The Cuban opposition calls for “strengthening unity in diversity” / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 23 December 2014 – Cuban Civil Society Open Forum, a new organization in Cuba which has come to be a forum of debate for the opposition, met this Monday in Havana to review its own development as well as its common position, faced with the new scenario that has opened with the reestablishment … Continue reading “The Cuban opposition calls for “strengthening unity in diversity” / 14ymedio”