English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Among the somewhat reasonable excitement over the traveling out of Cuba of some of the most glamorous of the dissidents like Yoani Sanchez, Rosa Maria Paya, and Eliecer Avila, extremely alarming things are happening. Two independent reporters arrested (they released Cedeño but Calixto Roman continues to be locked up). Angel Santiesteban gets of every morning … Continue reading “Bad — Very Bad — News / Luis Felipe Rojas”
It is January 28, Monday, I get a call from Yoani earlier than usual, it was 7:55 am when she told me we should go by Rodiles’ house; she always thanks me as if my work were a favor and not an obligation, I was ready and found myself behind the wheel, at 8:07 I … Continue reading “Dust Thou Art and Unto Dust Thou Will Return. Until then, Manolo Rodiles. / Agustin Lopez”
Five years after Cuba’s representative signed the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the situation with regards to fundamental rights in Cuba remains precarious. The violation of fundamental rights is not only a part of the repressive apparatus of the State, but our national legislation itself … Continue reading “The United Nations Covenants, Five Years Later / For Another Cuba, Estado de SATS”
“We are also concerned about the fate of the writer Angel Santiesteban-Prats,sentenced to five years in prison on December 8, 2012, officially for “housebreaking and injuries” after a process in which the charges were fabricated and witnesses bought. “An intellectual recognized in Cuban society, who has received several awards, the only thing Angel Santiesteban-Prats did … Continue reading “Not All Is Lost / Luis Felipe Rojas”
Although I have not written anything for quite a few days, a thousand ideas are turning over in my head that I cannot seem to organize enough to put down in black and white. As usual, events on my planet are annoying and even painful, and although far from the theatre where they are taking … Continue reading “Days of Silence / Rebeca Monzo”
The case of the arbitrary arrest of Sonia Garro and her husband Ramon Alejandro is confusing for several reasons. That she belongs to the well-known group the Ladies in White and he to an independent Afro-Cuban organization, highlights lack of tactics or support (or both) by our internal dissent. Recognized international institutions have raised the … Continue reading “Forgotten: Black and Dissident”
By: Julio César Gálvez. The current economic and social crisis spreads and worsens among the most vulnerable sectors of the population: children, elderly, disabled, women, ethnic minorities. It is not an isolated case. It is a well-structured plot over 50 years ago to control an entire country. The lack of ethical and moral values and … Continue reading “More Than Half A Century Making A Mockery of Human Rights / Julio Cesar Galvaz #Cuba”
Sometimes when I’m restless I dream that I move, that I change houses over and over without being able to enjoy any of them. In this recurring nightmare, my life is dismantled and my childhood photos are lost in some moving van. But this only happens to me on nights of midlevel anxiety. This week, … Continue reading “Can I Wake Up? / Yoani Sanchez”
Link to Facebook Here Declaration No. 2, 11 November 2012 On Wednesday, November 7, a group of citizens was arrested outside the so-called Section 21 of State Security, at 31st Avenue and 110th Street, in the municipality of Marianao. The group of about ten people was there to inquire about the legal status and whereabouts … Continue reading “LIBERTAD! FREEDOM! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Since yesterday, November 7, 2012, there have been numerous arbitrary arrests, which continue to today. The number arrested at this time is impossible to determine because, as on previous occasions, the mobile and fixed phones of those involved have been interrupted and cut off. Among the arrested are Antonio Rodiles and Yoani Sanchez. The trigger … Continue reading “Declaration No. 1 of Thursday November 8, 2012, About the Arbitrary Arrests Happening in the Last Hours / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
Video showing the arrest of Yoani Sanchez (seen early in the video in a black top and red skirt, confronting those arresting her) and the beating and arrest of Angel Santiesteban In the last 48 hours a wave of arrests has been unleashed that at this point can’t be explained in any reasonable way. The … Continue reading “A Lightning Arrest / Reinaldo Escobar”
Over a hundred people attended the Fiesta of the Plurality on Saturday December 10, held at Primera (First Avenue) 4606 between 46 and 60, Playa municipality, Havana. The meeting was convened by Yoani Sanchez, leader of the Cuban Voices blogger platform and Antonio Rodiles, spokesman for the “State of Sats” audiovisual project and host of … Continue reading “Fiesta of Plurality / Miguel Iturria Savón”
Like every respected communist leader, Julio Antonio Mella* was not named Julio Antonio Mella, but something like Nicanor McPartland y Diez (almost an Eduardo del Llano character). As any Cuban political of some importance in the twentieth century, he was a bastard son (maybe our best Cubanologist will ultimately be Dr. Sigmund Freud). In Cuba, … Continue reading “MELLA IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
The Spanish businessman Sebastián Martínez Ferraté, charged with corruption of minors, pimping and illegal economic activities, will be judged on Monday July 18 at the Provincial Court of Havana, whose official seat is located on Prado, Teniente and Rey. However, trials in the presence of diplomats and the media are usually held in the 10th … Continue reading “The Spaniard Sebastian Martinez will be Judged Monday in Havana / Iván García”
