Cuba: ‘My Son Has Never Smiled Again’ Since His Father Was Arrested on July 11th (11J) in Cárdenas

14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 1 May 2022– Judges did not forgive Samuel Pupo Martínez for starring in one of the most iconic images of the protests on July 11 (11J). Climbing on top of an overturned vehicle, this then 46-year-old man shouted “Down with communism! Patria y Vida!” a few meters from the municipal headquarters … Continue reading “Cuba: ‘My Son Has Never Smiled Again’ Since His Father Was Arrested on July 11th (11J) in Cárdenas”

Musician Sentenced to Six Years for July 11th (11J) Brands ISA Officials as ‘Ass Kissers’

14ymedio, Havana, April 12, 2022–The University Council of the Universidad de las Artes (ISA) has branded an open letter shared by a group called #FreeAbelLescay as “campaigns that intend to discredit the Revolution.” The group seeks to revoke the sentence of musician Abel González Lescay, a musical composition student at ISA who was sentenced to … Continue reading “Musician Sentenced to Six Years for July 11th (11J) Brands ISA Officials as ‘Ass Kissers’”

A Young Cuban Woman Spent Nine Months in Jail for Yelling on July 11th and No One Apologizes for her Abusive Arrest

14ymedio, Havana, April 9, 2022–Lázara Karenia González, arrested for participating in the peaceful protests on July 11th (11J) in Cárdenas, Matanzas, was released on Friday after receiving her sentence of three years of “correctional labor without internment.” Thus, she will be able to remain outside of prison while serving her term of labor. During the … Continue reading “A Young Cuban Woman Spent Nine Months in Jail for Yelling on July 11th and No One Apologizes for her Abusive Arrest”

Cuba Strengthened its ‘Machinery to Control Freedom’ After the July 11th Protests, According to Amnesty International

EFE (via 14ymedio), London, 29 March 2022 — Cuba intensified “its machinery to control freedom of expression and assembly” during 2021, a year marked by the July 11th (11J) anti-government protests, Amnesty International (AI) denounced in its annual report on human rights. The London-based organization emphasized what it called “repression” during and after the demonstrations. … Continue reading “Cuba Strengthened its ‘Machinery to Control Freedom’ After the July 11th Protests, According to Amnesty International”

Five Members of the Same Family in Prison for July 11th Protests in Santiago de Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 28 March 2022 — Five protesters from the same family have been sentenced to prison for the protests in El Caney, Santiago de Cuba, on July 11. Along with them, there are three others convicted in the same case, with sentences of between 5 and 12 years in prison. Only one is released … Continue reading “Five Members of the Same Family in Prison for July 11th Protests in Santiago de Cuba”

Amnesty International Asks to Enter Cuba to Follow the Trials of July 11th Protesters

EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, 26 March 2022 — On Friday, the organization Amnesty International (AI) asked to enter Cuba to follow the trials against the demonstrators accused of the anti-government protests of last July 11. In a statement, AI reported that it has also asked the Cuban government to let in other human rights observers … Continue reading “Amnesty International Asks to Enter Cuba to Follow the Trials of July 11th Protesters”

July 11th Protests ‘Risked the Nation’s Stability’, Cuban Regime Declares

The long prison sentences that the Cuban courts have been imposing on the July 11th (11J) protesters in Havana are taking their toll on the courts’ public image, even there, where they preserve it. That some people from the ruling party’s orbit, among whom is troubadour of the Revolution, Silvio Rodríguez, who has publicly criticized … Continue reading “July 11th Protests ‘Risked the Nation’s Stability’, Cuban Regime Declares”

Mother of Young Man Sentenced to Prison for July 11th is Hospitalized After a Suicide Attempt

14ymedio, Havana, 19 March 2022 — Yudinela Castro Pérez, mother of the 18-year-old political prisoner Rowland Jesús Castillo Castro and a protester on July 11, has been admitted to the Julio Trigo hospital in Havana, after she made an attempt on her life. According to family sources confirmed to 14ymedio , Castro is out of danger. “She is already recovering. … Continue reading “Mother of Young Man Sentenced to Prison for July 11th is Hospitalized After a Suicide Attempt”

Prosecutors Seek Up to 16 Years in Prison for July 11th (11J) Protesters in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, March 14, 2022–The Prosecutor’s Office of Bayamo, in the province of Granma, scheduled for last Friday the sentencing of the July 11th protesters processed in the last known trial. For the group of 17 people, accused of assault, resistance, public disorder, contempt and damages caused by alleged “acts of vandalism” against military personnel and … Continue reading “Prosecutors Seek Up to 16 Years in Prison for July 11th (11J) Protesters in Cuba”

Mother of July 11th Prisoner Released After a Change in a Precautionary Measure

14ymedio, Havana, 10 March 2022 — Yudinela Castro Pérez, the mother of the young 18-year-old political prisoner Rowland Jesús Castillo Castro and July 11th (11J) protester, was approved this Thursday for a change of precautionary measure after spending almost 15 days under arrest by State Security in Havana. “From today Yudinela, a cancer patient who … Continue reading “Mother of July 11th Prisoner Released After a Change in a Precautionary Measure”

Four Years of Forced Labor for a Young Woman Attacked on July 11th by a Police Officer in Camaguey

14ymedio,  Havana, 11 March 2022 — Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista will serve four years of correctional work with internment in the women’s prison of Granja 5, in Camagüey, for having taken part in the demonstrations of July 11 (11J). The 21-year-old girl entered the prison this Thursday, accompanied by her parents to the door. According … Continue reading “Four Years of Forced Labor for a Young Woman Attacked on July 11th by a Police Officer in Camaguey”

Cuban Women of July 11th, Forgotten on March 8th

14ymedio, Havana, 8 March 2022 — Every year on March 8th, the state press is filled with the faces of women wielding rifles, in front of a classroom, or leading a state-owned business, but nothing is said of the political prisoners. The number of Cuban women incarcerated for their activism grew significantly following the protests … Continue reading “Cuban Women of July 11th, Forgotten on March 8th”

Cuba: ‘The Excessive Sentences for July 11th Protestors are an Injustice and They Must Be Reversed’

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 5 March 2022 — Since September 2019, Catholic priest Alberto Reyes Pías (born 1967) serves 10 towns in the municipality of Esmeralda, 120 kilometers from the provincial capital, Camagüey. Masses, baptisms, visiting the sick, and above all, listening to problems consumes part of his daily life. Furthermore, he is engaged in … Continue reading “Cuba: ‘The Excessive Sentences for July 11th Protestors are an Injustice and They Must Be Reversed’”

Mother of Cuban July 11th (11J) Prisoner Has Been Jailed in Villa Marista Prison for Two Days

14ymedio, Havana, 26 February 2022 — Yudinela Castro Pérez, mother of 18-year-old political prisoner and July 11th (11J) protester, Rowland Jesús Castillo Castro, has spent more than 48 hours under arrest in Villa Marista, the barracks of the State Security in Havana. The woman was arrested last Thursday morning and “still has not returned home,” … Continue reading “Mother of Cuban July 11th (11J) Prisoner Has Been Jailed in Villa Marista Prison for Two Days”

A Tribunal in Holguin, Cuba Convicts 20 July 11th Protesters of Sedition

14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 15 February 2022 — On Monday, the Cuban justice system sentenced 20 protesters, including five minors, who participated in the July 11th anti-government protests, to between five and 20 years in jail for sedition. This ruling of the Provincial Tribunal of Holguín, according to activist Salomé García Bacallao of Justicia 11J, is the … Continue reading “A Tribunal in Holguin, Cuba Convicts 20 July 11th Protesters of Sedition”