Search results for: citizens' reasons

Repression, Poverty and Other Cuban Truths Arrive at the DVD Market / Luis Felipe Rojas #Cuba

In just thirteen minutes of history human rights activists told how they were attacked by political police officers and men in plain clothes. The reason? Castro graffiti on the streets, and posters hanging from roofs. Without meaning to justify themselves, young dissidents explain how they have been surprised that when these signs appear they are … Continue reading “Repression, Poverty and Other Cuban Truths Arrive at the DVD Market / Luis Felipe Rojas #Cuba”

A Comment and a Controversial Article / Miriam Celaya #Cuba

I originally published the article that follows on the website Penúltimos Días last November 26th. Since there are several and conflicting opinions about the post, I will submit it to the regular readers of this blog for their consideration. I just want to make a preliminary clarification: what some may consider inadequate demands of the … Continue reading “A Comment and a Controversial Article / Miriam Celaya #Cuba”

Declaration from the Christian Liberation Movement Regarding the European Union’s Common Position / Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo #Cuba #MCL

The reasons behind the position held by the European Union (EU) concerning human rights in Cuba have not changed in the last 16 years. The Cuban Government has not recognized the fundamental rights of Cubans. With the imminent and necessary revision of the current Common Position and the possibility of future pacts with the Cuban … Continue reading “Declaration from the Christian Liberation Movement Regarding the European Union’s Common Position / Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo #Cuba #MCL”

Reasoning with Antonio Rodiles / Reinaldo Escobar

Translator’s note: Our apologies for not having a subtitled version… As of this afternoon the latest chapter of Citizens’ Reasons will be available, dedicated to discussing a topic that is abstract but essential: Legitimacy. Participating on this occasion are Dagoberto Valdés, Miriam Celaya, Antonio Rodiles and, as moderator, this humble servant who is pleased to … Continue reading “Reasoning with Antonio Rodiles / Reinaldo Escobar”

Rodiles, Targeted by the Regime / Luis Felipe Rojas

Two opposite dynamics have had to change their actions in order to prevail: government repression and the peaceful opposition. Everyday Cubans have taken up arms with new technologies, they have supported each other with the scarce glimmers left behind by the inefficient Constitution of the Republic, while the oppressors have had to beat them out … Continue reading “Rodiles, Targeted by the Regime / Luis Felipe Rojas”

LIBERTAD! FREEDOM! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Link to Facebook Here Declaration No. 2, 11 November 2012 On Wednesday, November 7, a group of citizens was arrested outside the so-called Section 21 of State Security, at 31st Avenue and 110th Street, in the municipality of Marianao. The group of about ten people was there to inquire about the legal status and whereabouts … Continue reading “LIBERTAD! FREEDOM! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Second Act / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado

The Cuban government is a joke. They make us participate in elections in which we have to elect a member of their party to represent us to them? Judge and Jury? The conflict of interest mold has been broken! The second act of the Cuban election parody occurred this Sunday, November 4. I’m not joking, … Continue reading “Second Act / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado”

Elections and Citizen Sovereignty / Dimas Castellano

In his book The Social Contract–one of the most influential works of political theory of the 18th century–the French writer, Jean Jacques Rousseau, proposed the following theory: The union of persons to protect their well-being emanates from a general will that transforms the parties to the contract into a collective political body. The exercise of … Continue reading “Elections and Citizen Sovereignty / Dimas Castellano”

Knocking Down the Iron / Lilianne Ruiz

In his time, Marti wrote “arms are iron.” It is the iron I perceived confronting the agents of Section 21 — State Security — posted in the doorway of Lilia and Jose Alberto’s building at J and Calzada, this Thursday, November 1. It has been a long time that the iron in Cuba, the iron … Continue reading “Knocking Down the Iron / Lilianne Ruiz”

Your Beer Here! / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado

It seems like a silent cry, a clandestine invitation to beer drinking amid signs of drunkenness, not of admiration. The thirsty passer-by—child or adult—cannot easily sample a soft drink or a little bottle of mineral water in Havana when he wants, since in many public businesses that sell cold drinks in convertible currency, they tend … Continue reading “Your Beer Here! / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado”

Hostages of the Revolution / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

The media coverage (the nonsense of international reporters excitedly applauding on my cellphone until its batteries nearly ran out) is overwhelming: everyone is convinced that Raul’s reforms deepen and expand (metastasis of Marxist materialism?), because Cubans can finally buy and sell expensive stuff like houses and cars, and even the travel/immigration promise was kept earlier … Continue reading “Hostages of the Revolution / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Direct Democracy? / Fernando Damaso

Among our leaders there is a practice of submitting for discussion and popular approval certain laws and documents which they consider to be of special importance. The assumption is that, by doing this, they are presenting an example of direct democracy as an expression of popular will, which will grant them greater legitimacy. In reality … Continue reading “Direct Democracy? / Fernando Damaso”

United in Diversity / Fernando Damaso

The Cuban crisis is advancing inexorably towards its climax for reasons that are economic, political and social as well as genetic. With each passing day the situation for most citizens — shortages, price rises, low salaries and pensions, lack of opportunity — becomes even more complicated. The “update of the model,” now codified into law, … Continue reading “United in Diversity / Fernando Damaso”

“Smoke gets in your eyes” / Rebeca Monzo

I’m not referring to the beautiful song by David Kern, that is now an American classic, but to the terrible smoke of the fumigation that irritate the eyes and penetrate the nasal cavities, making it difficult to breathe; becoming in turn, the cause of so many diseases of the breathing passages that afflict many our … Continue reading ““Smoke gets in your eyes” / Rebeca Monzo”

Two Letters: Two Positions / Fernando Dámaso

Recently I read two letters that caught my attention. The first, written by Rafael Hernández, a pro-government political scientist based in Cuba, under the title “Letter to a young man who leaves,” trying to undo this massive trend, arguing the supposed benefits of the existing system in the country, offering them as some splendid options … Continue reading “Two Letters: Two Positions / Fernando Dámaso”