English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
I couldn’t help going to visit Idalmis Nuñez Reinosa’s house when I heard that after being hit and kicked by the police in Placetas on Saturday the 3rd, she was “repatriated” by the same police force to her home town, Santiago de Cuba, I found her covered with bruises and scratches on her skin and … Continue reading “Walking on Dark Streets Can be a Crime”
Agents of State Security in Placetas In the early morning hours they arrested Adriano Castaneda Meneses while aboard the Yuton bus on its way back from Sancti Spiritus. He was detained at the entrance of Placetas by a national political police unit. Officer Idel Gonzalez Morfi, aka “Railroad Spike”, did not notice Yordanis and only … Continue reading “Hunting in Placetas”
Tomorrow, May 1, the United Nations Human Rights Council will meet in Geneva, where Cuba will present a report with notes on its prison policy. “Dressing up” for the occasion, for the first time in nine years the Castro regime opened its jails to the national and international press accredited in Cuba. It is public … Continue reading “The United Nations Human Rights Council and its Great Challenge With Cuba / Angel Santiesteban”
I received very strong testimonies via telephone by Ramon Rodriguez and his son Rolando about the situation Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina — on hunger strike — is facing in the convict unit of the provincial hospital of Guantanamo. Hours later, news of the death of my grandmother, Maria, left me incapable of putting together a coherent … Continue reading “Today I Write Only An Excuse / Luis Felipe Rojas”
It was Saturday, November 27, and we left early for Guantánamo. At 12:40 pm we were at the control point known as Río Frío, a few kilometers from the city of Guaso. When the police stopped the vehicle we were riding in, they asked me urgently for my identity card, as well as that of … Continue reading “Detainee 1262: Cell 16 / Luis Felipe Rojas”
I spent the night of September 30th traveling, and part of October 1st on the expressway of Farola in order to get to Baracoa. The 7th session of the committee of the Eastern Democratic Alliance was to be held in Maisi, but the detentions began on Friday and did not cease until Sunday. The grand … Continue reading “Crossing the Barbed Wire with the Blue Bird / Luis Felipe Rojas”
