The Granting of Asylum to Daniela Rojo Feeds the Hope of Other Cubans in Germany

14ymedio, Havana,11 August 2023 — Activist Daniela Rojo, who left the Island with her two children a little more than a year ago after receiving pressure and threats from State Security, could not contain her emotion this Thursday, when she was granted asylum by Germany. During this time, she told 14ymedio by phone, they were … Continue reading “The Granting of Asylum to Daniela Rojo Feeds the Hope of Other Cubans in Germany”

Cuban Opponent Otero Alcantara Confirms he Lifted His Hunger Strike After Weeks Incommunicado

14ymedio/EFE, Havana, July 26, 2023 — Cuban opponent Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, in prison since 2021, lifted the hunger and thirst strike that began on July 6, sources close to the artist confirmed this Tuesday. Otero Alcántara himself confirmed the news to his relatives through a telephone call from the Guanajay prison, where he is … Continue reading “Cuban Opponent Otero Alcantara Confirms he Lifted His Hunger Strike After Weeks Incommunicado”

Anamely Ramos and Claudia Genlui, the Voices from Exile of the Cubans Otero Alcantara and Osorbo

EFE (via 14ymedio), Juan Palop, Havana, July 24, 2023 — They talk about the exhaustion, the psychological damage, the pain of their exile, but also the need to remain strong for Cuban artists and activists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Castillo Osorbo, both in prison in Cuba. In an interview with EFE, Cuban human rights defenders … Continue reading “Anamely Ramos and Claudia Genlui, the Voices from Exile of the Cubans Otero Alcantara and Osorbo”

Cuban Artist and Dissident Otero Alcantara Begins a Hunger and Thirst Strike

EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, July 8, 2023 — The Cuban artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has started a hunger and thirst strike demanding his release from the Guanajay prison, where he is serving a five-year sentence, according to the activist Claudia Genlui speaking on Friday. This is the sixth strike by the leader … Continue reading “Cuban Artist and Dissident Otero Alcantara Begins a Hunger and Thirst Strike”

Cuban Filmmakers Meet To Express Their Disagreements With the Cultural Authorities

14ymedio, Havana, 24 June 2023 — More than a hundred Cuban filmmakers expressed their disagreement with the authorities about the decisions made with a documentary about the Argentine singer Fito Páez and his relationship with the Island. The creators, grouped in the Assembly of Cuban Filmmakers — which includes the prestigious director Fernando Pérez and … Continue reading “Cuban Filmmakers Meet To Express Their Disagreements With the Cultural Authorities”

Amnesty International Demands the ‘Immediate’ Release of Otero Alcantara and Maykel ‘Osorbo’

EFE (via 14ymedio), Mexico City, 23 June 2023 —  Amnesty International (AI) said Thursday that the Cuban authorities must release the artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez “immediately and unconditionally.” It is now one year since they were unjustly sentenced to five and nine years in prison, respectively, in a legal process … Continue reading “Amnesty International Demands the ‘Immediate’ Release of Otero Alcantara and Maykel ‘Osorbo’”

20 Years Since the Black Spring, the Long Shadow of Repression in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana. 18 March 2023 – Twenty years ago a wave of repression swept through Cuba. Whilst the world’s attention was fixed on the start of the war in Iraq, Fidel Castro condemned 75 dissidents to prison in an authoritarian offensive known as the Black Spring. Two decades later, the number of political prisoners on … Continue reading “20 Years Since the Black Spring, the Long Shadow of Repression in Cuba”

Cubans Sell Appointments for Asylum Requests in Spain and the System Collapses

14ymedio, Havana, 5 March 2023 — Since her arrival in Spain three months ago, Irene, a 26-year-old journalist who participated in the 11J [11 July 2021] protests in Santa Clara, tries in vain to process her asylum request from Burgos, Spain. The Spanish Government’s website — the only way to be served in the Immigration … Continue reading “Cubans Sell Appointments for Asylum Requests in Spain and the System Collapses”

For ‘Health Reasons’ Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Suspends His Hunger Strike

14ymedio, Havana, 9 February 2023 — Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who is imprisoned in the maximum security prison of Guanajay (Artemisa), informed the curator Claudia Genlui that “for health reasons” he decided to suspend the hunger strike that he had been on for nine days to demand his freedom. The information was shared by the curator through the … Continue reading “For ‘Health Reasons’ Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Suspends His Hunger Strike”

‘The Cuban Dictatorship will be Responsible for Whatever Happens to Luis Manuel’

14ymedio, Havana, 7 February 2023 — Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, prisoner at the maximum-security prison in Guanajay (Artemisa), has been on a hunger strike for seven days to demand his freedom, according to what curator Claudia Genlui published on Tuesday on her Facebook wall. “I just spoke with Luis Manuel Otero. With a broken voice, … Continue reading “‘The Cuban Dictatorship will be Responsible for Whatever Happens to Luis Manuel’”

2022, a Fertile Year Outside the Island for Books Linked to Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 1 January 2022 — The return of Detective Mario Conde, the adventures of Federico García Lorca in Havana and a fast-paced essay on the concentration camps on the Island marked the route of the Cuban book in 2022. 14ymedio proposes an account of the best titles from authors residing inside and outside the … Continue reading “2022, a Fertile Year Outside the Island for Books Linked to Cuba”

Cuban Embassy in Madrid Activates an Alarm to Ward Off Otero AlcAntara’s Friends

14ymedio, Madrid, 2 December 2022 — About twenty activists from Amnesty International (AI) and friends of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara gathered this Friday in front of the Cuban Embassy in Madrid to remember the birthday of the artist, who has been in prison since July 11, 2021, and to demand his release . Olatz Cacho, spokesperson … Continue reading “Cuban Embassy in Madrid Activates an Alarm to Ward Off Otero AlcAntara’s Friends”

Carlos M. Alvarez Will Return to Cuba ‘By Any Other Way’ After American Airlines Denied Him Boarding

14ymedio, Madrid, 21 November 2022 — Journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez tried to return to Cuba this Sunday from Miami, but American Airlines employees informed him that he could not board the flight due to Havana’s refusal to authorize his entry into the country. ” ’You have been denied from Havana’, they told me,” the writer … Continue reading “Carlos M. Alvarez Will Return to Cuba ‘By Any Other Way’ After American Airlines Denied Him Boarding”

Why Can Cuba Keep Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Locked Up? / Jeovany Jimenez Vega

Jeovany Jiminez Vega, 30 May 2021 — It was nearly a month ago that Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was arrested in this home and taken by force to Calixto García hospital in Havana, where he has been kept by Cuban State Security. The lying officials have published various manipulated videos showing a disoriented and confused … Continue reading “Why Can Cuba Keep Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara Locked Up? / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”

Cuban Artist Hamlet Lavastida, Wins Freedom of Expression Prize from Index on Censorship

14ymedio, Havana, 14 November 2022 — The Cuban artist Hamlet Lavastida has been awarded the Freedom of Expression in the Arts prize, presented by international organisation Index on Censorship. The award recognises the creator’s work in documenting human rights abuses on the Island. “Our winner in the Arts category is Hamlet Lavastida, who is pleased … Continue reading “Cuban Artist Hamlet Lavastida, Wins Freedom of Expression Prize from Index on Censorship”