Search results for: Ricardo Alarcon

Alan Gross, ‘The New York Times’ And The Spies / 14ymedio, Mario Felix Lleonart

14ymedio, Mario Felix Lleonart, Havana, 1 December 2014 — Last November 4, the White House reiterated that the case of citizen Alan Gross, prisoner in Cuba for bringing electronic equipment onto the Island, is not comparable to that of the Cuban spy members of the Wasp Network and that therefore there will be no exchange. … Continue reading “Alan Gross, ‘The New York Times’ And The Spies / 14ymedio, Mario Felix Lleonart”

“One of the Hallmarks of the Twenty-first Century Will Be Overcoming the Burden of Political Labels” / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Reinaldo Escobar

We speak with the founder of the political movement Somos+ (We Are More) Reinaldo Escobar, Havana | May 30, 2014 – Eliécer Ávila launched the website this week of the political movement Somos+ (We Are More), which he created in June 2013. This 29-year-old computer engineer published a letter to young Cubans asking them to … Continue reading ““One of the Hallmarks of the Twenty-first Century Will Be Overcoming the Burden of Political Labels” / 14ymedio, Eliecer Avila, Reinaldo Escobar”

Eliezer Avila Commits to a Green Party / Lilianne Ruiz

Cubanet interviewed Eliezer Avila, the computer scientist who once faced Ricardo Alarcon, former president of the National Assembly. He moved to the capital in order to participate more directly in the changes in civil society. What have you been doing in your public life lately? Since I arrived in Europe I have focused on my … Continue reading “Eliezer Avila Commits to a Green Party / Lilianne Ruiz”

Raul Prepares His Retirement / Juan Juan Almeida

We are living in a world where, dangerously, what’s important for the work of many is just to show results. Perhaps for that reason, for nostalgia, convenience, desire, hope, belief, deception or passion; we make the mistake of looking to Havana and distorting the reality, imagining the Cuban government as a bankrupt controlling consortium. Sorry, … Continue reading “Raul Prepares His Retirement / Juan Juan Almeida”

“The Internet Has its own Soul.” Eliecer Avila in a revealing interview / Miriam Celaya

The title of this post is a phrase by Eliecer Ávila, who, while still a student at the University of Computer Sciences (UCI) in 2008, ridiculed the President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcón, perhaps unintentionally. On that occasion, the young man unambiguously publicly questioned the emigration policy imposed on Cubans by their government. The … Continue reading ““The Internet Has its own Soul.” Eliecer Avila in a revealing interview / Miriam Celaya”

Operation Truth / Yoani Sanchez

Note: A translated transcript of the video can be downloaded here. For years I’ve wanted to ask Eliécer Ávila certain questions. Since I first heard him speak and present himself in January of 2008, I was tempted to ask about what it really meant to be a member of Operation Truth, what role did a … Continue reading “Operation Truth / Yoani Sanchez”

A Stupid Answer, Heaven is not Congested / Agustin Valentin Lopez Canino

The boy stands to the side of the entrance, on his left is his girlfriend who has accompanied him to say goodbye. He carries a bag over his right shoulder and looks around as if startled. On the floor a dark suitcase where he’s packed maybe a few clothes. Today I arrived at a very … Continue reading “A Stupid Answer, Heaven is not Congested / Agustin Valentin Lopez Canino”

Eliecer Avila Takes to the Crowded Skies

Site manager’s note: Eliecer Avila is the computer science student who, in a session at his university where Ricardo Alarcon,  vice president of the National Assembly, came to meet with the students, asked Alarcon a series of questions that the students needed answers to, “to help us do our work.” Their work was monitoring the … Continue reading “Eliecer Avila Takes to the Crowded Skies”

This Is Not Spoken Of / Yoani Sanchez #Cuba

Brick by brick Eliécer builds the pen for the pigs, washes the floor with a hose and feeds the plump sow that recently gave birth. A neighbor passes by and shouts to him, “Hey! ‘Your friend’ Alarcón is no longer in Parliament!” The words are out of sync with the situation, bringing a dose of … Continue reading “This Is Not Spoken Of / Yoani Sanchez #Cuba”

If It’s Immigration and Travel Reform We’re Talking About… / Miriam Celaya

Cuban television news just broadcast with undisguised joy the statements of the U.S. president about the failure of immigration reforms in that country. With images of Obama on the screen, although taking care, as usual, not to directly broadcast the president’s words, the Island’s media tried to discredit the “enemy” by highlighting another fiasco. It … Continue reading “If It’s Immigration and Travel Reform We’re Talking About… / Miriam Celaya”

Open Sesame… Travel Restrictions in Cuba / Jeovany Jimenez Vega

On Friday, April 20, Ricardo Alarcon, President of the Cuban Parliament, in an interview with the digital daily World, of the Huffingtonpost.com, reaffirmed Raul Castro’s announcement from last year that Cuba will launch “… a radical and thorough immigration reform in the coming months …” which will remove restrictions we’ve had for decades on Cubans … Continue reading “Open Sesame… Travel Restrictions in Cuba / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”

The Dream of Leaving Cuba / Yoani Sánchez in the New York Times Sunday Review

The Dream of Leaving Cuba By YOANI SANCHEZ Published: April 21, 2012 Havana OUTSIDE the sun is blindingly hot, and in the immigration office 100 people are sweating profusely. But no one complains. A critical word, a demanding attitude, could end in punishment. So we all wait silently for a “white card,” authorization to travel … Continue reading “The Dream of Leaving Cuba / Yoani Sánchez in the New York Times Sunday Review”

No more deception, FREEDOM NOW / Oswaldo Payá

The government representing the military regime has denied Cubans the universal right to travel freely for more than half a century and still denies this right without any clear prospects towards change. With the greatest cruelty, it has torn millions of Cuban families apart and it still does. Government spokesmen have speculated for months about possible immigration changes and some, as President of the National … Continue reading “No more deception, FREEDOM NOW / Oswaldo Payá”

The Ant and the Elephant / Rebeca Monzo

An ant, shivering and sobbing, asks his friend the elephant, “Have you read today’s Granma newspaper?” “No,” he replies, “What does it say?” “They are going to sacrifice, starting this month, all the large animals to be able to feel the people,” answers the ant. “What does this have to do with you? The one … Continue reading “The Ant and the Elephant / Rebeca Monzo”

The Return of Eliécer / Yoani Sánchez

Distrust is a fundamental part of the negative legacy of this system. The doubt when receiving a hug, suspicion in the face of candor, and phrases such as “I’m sure he’s with State Security” instead of “I’m glad he dares!” There is nothing more frustrating, for those who cross the line between silence and speaking … Continue reading “The Return of Eliécer / Yoani Sánchez”