80 Acts of Repression: This is How Cuba Celebrated May Day

Justicia 11J (via Cubalex), 2 May 2022 — Cubalex and Justicia 11J have observed an increase in repressive events against activists, opponents, journalists and family members of people held in detention for political reasons. Between April 26th at 6 pm and today, May 1st, we have documented a total of 80 events, disaggregated as follows: Summons/interrogation: … Continue reading “80 Acts of Repression: This is How Cuba Celebrated May Day”

Cuban Prosecutor Adds ‘Alleged Previous Crimes’ to Lengthen Prison Sentences

14ymedio, Havana, 8 April 2022 — “This starts now.” With that phrase and a laugh, the rapper Maykel Castillo Osorbo responded when he was informed in prison this Thursday of the prosecutor’s request for ten years in prison that he faces, according to art curator Anamely Ramos speaking this Friday . Ramos details in a Facebook post all the … Continue reading “Cuban Prosecutor Adds ‘Alleged Previous Crimes’ to Lengthen Prison Sentences”

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”

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”

Cuban Journalist and Activist Esteban Rodriguez Arrives in the United States

14ymedio, Havana 17 March 2022 —  Esteban Rodríguez, the Cuban independent journalist who left the island at the beginning of the year along with his colleague Héctor Luis Valdés Cocho, has arrived in the United States. The reporter and activist posted an image on his Facebook profile accompanied by the text: “Family, in the land of Liberty. … Continue reading “Cuban Journalist and Activist Esteban Rodriguez Arrives in the United States”

Dutch Diplomat Bastiaan Engelhard Awarded for his Support for Freedom in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 18 March 2022 — Dutchman Bastiaan Engelhard has been awarded the Prize for Diplomacy Committed to Human Rights in Cuba, which is awarded every year by the Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (Cadal). The news was made public this Friday by the organization, which with this award aims to … Continue reading “Dutch Diplomat Bastiaan Engelhard Awarded for his Support for Freedom in Cuba”

Sentenced to 14 Years For the 11 July Protests in Cuba and on Hunger strike, He is the Father of Two Babies

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 24 February 2022 — Gerardo Díaz Alonso, one of the protesters on July 11 in Cárdenas, Matanzas, has been on a hunger strike since Friday, protesting that he was sentenced to 14 years for the crimes of sabotage and public disorder. His wife, Mercedes Sánchez, with whom he has two children … Continue reading “Sentenced to 14 Years For the 11 July Protests in Cuba and on Hunger strike, He is the Father of Two Babies”

Cuban Regime Prohibits the Return of Activist Anamely Ramos

14ymedio, Havana, 16 February 2022 — Art curator Anamely Ramos was unable to return to the Island as planned after spending more than a year away from the Island studying for a doctorate in Mexico. The activist and member of the San Isidro Movement was unable to board her American Airlines flight because Cuba refused her … Continue reading “Cuban Regime Prohibits the Return of Activist Anamely Ramos”

The Cuban Dictatorship Represses Because it is Weak, Says Activist Carolina Barrero

EFE (via 14ymedio), Madrid, 11 February 2022 — The Spanish-Cuban activist Carolina Barrero said this Friday at a press conference held at the Ateneo de Madrid that “the [Cuban] dictatorship has never been in a moment of weakness as great as it is now.” “They know it, that’s why they look for ways to repress, … Continue reading “The Cuban Dictatorship Represses Because it is Weak, Says Activist Carolina Barrero”

Activist Carolina Barrero Left Cuba, Forced into Exile by Threats of the Regime

14ymedio, Madrid, 4 February 2022 — On Thursday, Carolina Barrero became the latest case, to date, of an activist forced into exile. The art historian traveled on Thursday to Madrid after being informed by State Security that she had 48 hours to abandon the Island, according to her own account on Facebook. The activist was … Continue reading “Activist Carolina Barrero Left Cuba, Forced into Exile by Threats of the Regime”

Petition to the European Parliament to give the Sakharov Prize to the Cubans of 11J

14ymedio, Madrid, 31 January 2022 — The Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba has proposed to the European Parliament that it award the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Expression to José Daniel Ferrer, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Félix Navarro Rodríguez as representatives of the July 11th Demonstrators from the spheres of politics, culture … Continue reading “Petition to the European Parliament to give the Sakharov Prize to the Cubans of 11J”

Obispo Street Protesters are Fined and Pressured to Leave Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 17 January 2022 — The demonstrators of Obispo Street, who spent several months in prison, were informed this Monday in Villa Marista, the State Security headquarters in Havana, that they will receive an “administrative fine” in order to conclude the judicial process against them. “Serving prison for the alleged fabricated charges of resistance and public … Continue reading “Obispo Street Protesters are Fined and Pressured to Leave Cuba”

El Salvador Reaffirms its Support for the Two Cuban Reporters Stranded in the Country

14ymedio, Havana, 7 January 2021 — “We are going to support them to do whatever they want to do,” says the Foreign Minister of El Salvador Alexandra Hill in relation to independent journalists Esteban Rodríguez and Héctor Luis Valdés Cocho, who were admitted to the Central American country last Wednesday after being forced to leave … Continue reading “El Salvador Reaffirms its Support for the Two Cuban Reporters Stranded in the Country”

Threatened by State Security, Cuban Journalist Orelvys Cabrera Traveled to Russia

14ymedio, Lorey Saman, Mexico, January 3rd, 2022–Independent reporter, Orelvys Cabrera Sotolongo had to abandon Cuba “due to pressure from State Security.” The journalist, a resident of Matanzas and one of those detained during the protests on July 11th, confirmed on Monday to 14ymedio that he traveled to Russia along with his partner on December 19th. … Continue reading “Threatened by State Security, Cuban Journalist Orelvys Cabrera Traveled to Russia”

A Latin Grammy Award for ‘Patria y Vida’, the Anthem of the Protests in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, November 18, 2021–Thursday, the song Patria y Vida [Homeland and Life] won the award for Best Urban Song at the Latin Grammys, in Las Vegas, USA. Beatriz Luengo, singer and wife of Cuban Yotuel Romero, one of the songwriters, went up on stage to receive the award. Sung by duo Gente de Zona, Yotuel and Descemer Bueno, … Continue reading “A Latin Grammy Award for ‘Patria y Vida’, the Anthem of the Protests in Cuba”