English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 26 April 2016 — The last time I tried to meet with several families in this province I was forcibly “deported” by State Security agents, who told me I was “persona non grata” in the territory. It is very likely that no citizens had heard of the action taken against me, … Continue reading “This Time I Reached Pinar de Rio / Somos+, Eliecer Avila”
14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 26 April 2016 — After nearly 35 years as head of the Archdiocese of Havana, Jaime Ortega y Alamino, the only Cuban cardinal and a crucial figure in the thaw with the United States, has been replaced. Pope Francis decided to accept his resignation, presented since 2011, and appoint in his place Juan … Continue reading “A ‘Bishop Of The People’ For A Cuba In Transition / 14ymedio, Mario Penton”
14ymedio, Havana, 7 April 2016 – At least two members of the Coexistence Project have received subpoenas in recent weeks from the Pinar del Rio Immigration Office (DIE), according to a statement made this Thursday. Yoandy Toledo was cited on two occasions to give details about his recent trip to Prague, and Javier Valdes, webmaster … Continue reading “Coexistence Project Denounces Harassment of its Members / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, 18 February 2016 – For an hour and a half this Wednesday I received a barrage of threats from State Security in Pinar del Rio. Like a scene out of George Orwell, four agents devoted themselves to warning me that I could be prosecuted for the crime described in Law 62 of the Penal … Continue reading “An Hour and a Half with Big Brother / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez”
14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua, Havana, 23 January 2016 – Forty years in the life a nation is a short time in the long span of history. In politics, on the other hand, three generations are enough to measure the significance of accomplishments that mark a specific period. With the Socialist Constitution of Cuba turning 40, … Continue reading “Forty Years Later, What Does The Cuban Constitution Need? / 14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua”
14ymedio, Havana, 7 December 2015 – Satisfaction in the triumph of the opposition, words of encouragement to the great loser of the contest, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro: these, respectively, were the reactions in Cuba among democracy activists and the ruling party. While Cuban activists celebrated the absolute majority of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), Raul … Continue reading “Cuban Activists Celebrate The Victory Of The Venezuelan Opposition / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 26 November 2015 — Journalist and activist Henry Constantin, director of the magazine La hora de Cuba (Cuba’s Hour), a member of the editorial board of the magazine Convivencia (Coexistence) and collaborator with 14ymedio, was arrested at three in the afternoon on Thursday at customs in the José Martí Airport, as he himself reported via … Continue reading “Henry Constantin Arrested at the Airport on His Return From Lima / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”
Somos+, 18 July 2015 — Many times I heard about the existence of this “Espacio Abierto” (Open Forum) however, from the beginning I decided to enclose it in quotes; in Cuba, there is nothing so inclusive! Used to the constitutionally legal and obligatory silence, lack of spirituality and double standards, it was impossible for me … Continue reading “Open space for all Cubans / Somos+, Manuel Diaz Mons”
14ymedio, Madrid, 4 July 2015 — In the halls of the Casa de America in Madrid on Thursday and Friday of this week a training event for Cuban activists was held. Organized by the Association of Ibero-American Freedom (AIL), the meeting was attended by ten Cubans from the island as well as the former Minister General … Continue reading “Discussing the Chilean Transition / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 13 June 2105 – With the constancy of water dripping on a stone, number 45 of the magazine Convivencia (Coexistence) for the months of May and June has come out. Published from the Cuba’s westernmost province, the publication comes with a resounding editorial dedicated to the coming visit of Pope Francisco I to … Continue reading “Coexistence Magazine Calls on “Cuba to open itself to all Cubans” / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Rosa Lopez, Havana, 21 May 2015 – “The connection doesn’t work,” the young man tells the employee who frowns at him for making her get out of her comfortable chair. The heat is terrible and the air conditioning hasn’t worked for weeks in a State-run “Nauta” Internet room centrally located in Havana’s Plaza municipality. … Continue reading “‘14ymedio’ seen by its readers / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez”
Representatives of civil society meeting in Madrid agree on a set of strategies for 2015 14ymedio, Madrid, 6 March 2015 — Cuban dissidents, gathered in Madrid on Thursday and Friday at the Transitions in Latin American Societies conference, have agreed on a set of actions for 2015.Their proposals include: Implement actions to maintain the demands … Continue reading “Cuban Opposition Prepares its Proposals for the Summit of the Americas / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, 25 February 2015 – The Cuban Civil Society Open Forum held its third meeting this Wednesday with 25 people attending, among them activists, opponents and members of civic groups. The first point on the agenda was the approval of a document titled “Ethical Path for Cuban Civil Society,” which lays out the basic … Continue reading “Cuban Civil Society Open Forum Holds Third Meeting / 14ymedio”
Though I’m several days behind, I get to access my blog to publicly thank all friends and the media who remained attentive and concerned for us during the repressive raid of the final days of 2014. My son, Victor Ariel González, freelance journalist and 14ymedio.com reporter, was arrested around noon on the 30th, as he left his building to come to our home for lunch, just when his father and I came by … Continue reading “Gratitude / Miriam Celaya”
