English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Rosa Lopez, Camagüey, 8 March 2015 — On the kitchen table is a smeared plate of pink meringue. It’s been there since Friday afternoon, when she brought that piece of cake from the party for Women’s Day. After the celebration, the music and a boring speech from the factory director, Magaly returned to the routine … Continue reading “Queens for a Night / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez”
14ymedio, Havana, 24 February 2015 — Short-duration detentions increased considerably in Cuba in 2014, according to the annual report published today by Amnesty International. The human rights organization, with headquarters in London, emphasizes that the situation with respect to freedom of expression, association and assembly, infringed on by criminal prosecutions for political reasons, did not … Continue reading “Amnesty International Denounces Increase in Arbitrary Detentions in Cuba / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, MIRIAM CELAYA, Havana, 5 February 2015 — On 4 February 2015, the digital magazine Diario de Cuba, published a piece by Antonio González Rodiles (“Hablar con la Misma Voz) [Speaking with one Voice] in which the activist refers to an editorial by opposition lawyer René Gómez Manzano about the similarities between two documents issued by the independent civil society on the Island: the Four Points agreed to by the Cuban Civil Society Open … Continue reading “A Sterile Confrontation / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 4 February 2015 – This coming February 22 Tania Bruguera should be in Madrid to present one of her works at the ARCO International Contemporary Art Fair, but she knows she isn’t going to make it. Trapped by Cuban justice since last December 30, when she was arrested during her performance … Continue reading ““In Cuba we have learned our duties very well, but not our rights” / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Tania Bruguera”
14ymedio, Elicer Avila, 13 January 2015 – Cuban civil society is often questioned, as are opposition groups, due to their apparent inability to join the masses and pressure the government for necessary changes. All of these questions are not without some truth, and a doubt comes to mind that I would like to share. I am … Continue reading “The Unknown of the Diaspora / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila”
14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 16 January 2015 — The resumption of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States and the beginning of the normalization of ties of every kind between both countries, which implies the elimination of the political blockade that the great power of the north sustained against the small Caribbean Island, opens … Continue reading “A Better Cuba is More Possible Than Ever / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”
14ymedio, Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, 16 January 2015 – Cuban peasants have a tradition that they carry out at the beginning of year. They observe the first twelve days of January and complete the observation – in a countdown – with the following twelve days until they get to the 24th day. They have the … Continue reading “The ‘Cabanuelas’ for Religious Freedom / 14ymedio, Mario Felix Lleonart”
14ymedio, 16 January 2014 – This Friday, almost 300 activists, artists, journalists, academics and trade unionists representing diverse groups within the Cuban opposition presented a roadmap of proposals for what the civil society movement hopes to see beyond the reestablishment of US/Cuba diplomatic relations. The statement by the Forum for Rights and Freedoms was presented … Continue reading “Activists present proposals for the next phase of US / Cuba relations”
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)”
By Jeovany Jimenez Vega For the mere act of having been born a man, to be thinking, already implies in inalienable right to express myself freely without waiting for the permission of another man. Because my right of freedom of assembly and association are provided for by international agreements recognized by the civilized world, and … Continue reading “I also demand / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
By Jeovany Jimenez Vega The decision by the governments of Cuba and the US to normalize diplomatic relations could go down in the record books as the news of the year – and among the most momentous world news of the century so far. The more than 50 years of litigious relations – one of the longest disputes in … Continue reading “Cuba and the United States will resume their relations… alea jacta est* / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
See below for translation OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA from Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo December 19, 2014, The Washington Post Rosa María Payá Acevedo is a member of the Cuban Christian Liberation Movement. Mr. Barack Obama President of the United States of America I am writing to you because I assume that goodwill inspired … Continue reading “OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA from Rosa Maria Paya Acevedo”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana 20 December 2014 — Since December 17, Cuba has not been the same. Discussions, questions and expectations have multiplied among us since the announcement from Barack Obama and Raul Castro about the reestablishment of relations between the United States and Cuba. We citizens have a lot of questions about the process … Continue reading ““No, we have no illusions that it will be easy” / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”
Our team had a conversation with the New York Times journalist who has authored the editorials about Cuba. 14ymedio, 1 December 2014 — Ernesto Londoño, who authored six editorials on Cuba published recently by the New York Times engaged in a friendly conversation on Saturday with a part of the 14ymedio team, in the hotel … Continue reading “Two hours with the New York Times’ Ernesto Londoño / 14ymedio”
The elderly are the big losers in the timid economic reforms of Cuba’s General-President. Thousands who once applauded Fidel Castro’s long speeches in the Plaza of the Revolution, or fought in the civil wars in Africa, today survive however they can. There they are. Selling newspapers, peanuts, or single cigarettes. Others have it worse. Senile … Continue reading “Old dissidents in Cuba: Between homelessness and forgetting / Ivan Garcia”
