Search results for: July 26

Life or Death of a Political Prisoner: Instructions in a Sealed Envelope / Lilianne Ruiz

HAVANA, Cuba, July 2013, www.cubanet.org. In Combinado del Este Prison, in the presence of a lieutenant from the Ministry of the Interior, a common prisoner threatened political prisoner Ernesto Borges with death. This past June, the common prisoner, who was appointed by the prison authorities as “Head of the Council of Prisoners” despite being a … Continue reading “Life or Death of a Political Prisoner: Instructions in a Sealed Envelope / Lilianne Ruiz”

Response to Ricardo Alarcon / Eliecer Avila

This morning I was awakened by a call from a friend to tell me that finally señor Ricardo Alarcón had uttered words referring to our encounter*. I immediately started to make arrangements to see where I could download this post, but nothing worked. It was already around 11:00 and curiosity made me make a sad … Continue reading “Response to Ricardo Alarcon / Eliecer Avila”

Citizen Diplomacy / Julio Antonio Aleaga Pesant

Cuba Today, El Vedado, Havana, (PD): Bit by bit some of the early activists who were able to cross the sea are returning; they were guests or sponsored by organizations or individuals the “outside world.” I say some, because you must remember that under their inalienable right, there are friends who took the opportunity to … Continue reading “Citizen Diplomacy / Julio Antonio Aleaga Pesant”

Red Flag: The New Penal Law Threatens Human Rights / Laritza Diversent

The reforms of the Penal Code and the Penal Procedure Act adopted by the State Council to “ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency in the prevention and the fight against crime” raises a red flag about the situation of human rights in Cuba. The amendments will come into force on October 1st. Their main objective is … Continue reading “Red Flag: The New Penal Law Threatens Human Rights / Laritza Diversent”

A Coca Farce / Fernando Damaso

This past week has given us the media circus orchestrated by Mr. Evo Morales, self-titled first indigenous president of his country (if I remember correctly, his predecessor was also of indigenous origin), together with his friends. Nobody talks about his irresponsible statement in Moscow, when he said he was willing to take Mr. Snowden with … Continue reading “A Coca Farce / Fernando Damaso”

Prison Diary XXXV: The Silence of the Lambs / Angel Santiesteban

It’s been over a month since Sunday, May 26, when Cuba was named — in the 38th Congress of the International Federation of Human Rights in Istanbul, Turkey — as the country in Latin America that commits violations against each and every one of the civil and political rights. What should be a national holiday, … Continue reading “Prison Diary XXXV: The Silence of the Lambs / Angel Santiesteban”

A Purita Idea / Regina Coyula

When it seems to me that mediocrity will win the battle in our little country, there are things that make my day. Last week I passed by a privately-run cafe across from the Surgical Hospital on 26 Avenue and saw that they sell Purita brand dried rosemary, oregano, basil and celery. I asked for garlic, … Continue reading “A Purita Idea / Regina Coyula”

Cuban Hospitals Are Falling to Pieces and If They Repair Them, It’s With the Patients Inside / Lilianne Ruiz

Havana, Cuba, July 2, 2013 Lilianne Ruiz/www.cubanet.org —  Ruben Benitez is not his real name. His real name is not used because he is a father and family man and afraid of losing his job. Doctor by profession he remains disconcerted by the death of his father which occurred in the Calixto Garcia hospital. According … Continue reading “Cuban Hospitals Are Falling to Pieces and If They Repair Them, It’s With the Patients Inside / Lilianne Ruiz”

The Son that Nobody Wanted / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

From Sampsonia Way Magazine. Since the end of the 1980s, Ángel Santiesteban has been known as one of the most brilliant writers of his generation. In this position he touches upon subjects that are pretty uncomfortable for Cuban political culture: The island’s military interference in Angola and Ethiopia, the genocide of people fleeing towards liberty … Continue reading “The Son that Nobody Wanted / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

The Summing up of the Helsinki Foundation / Mario Lleonart

To visit the site in Warsaw of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights on the afternoon of the historic June 4, anniversary of those first elections with which Poles inaugurated their new period of democracy; to be received there with so much emotion by its President Danuta Przywara, and to hear her from her own … Continue reading “The Summing up of the Helsinki Foundation / Mario Lleonart”

The Cuban Mega-Soap Opera / Fernando Damaso

Street Graffiti The mega-soap opera of the Five Spies, recycled as anti-terrorists and heroes, for years have occupied a lot of space in the national political programming. Structured for the seasons, in the best style of the soaps, they appear one after another, regardless of the actual audience. The main characters presented at the beginning … Continue reading “The Cuban Mega-Soap Opera / Fernando Damaso”

Some Considerations / Fernando Damaso

The 52nd National Baseball Championships ended with the triumph of the Villa Clara team, and after a few days passed, some considerations came to mind: most along political lines and a few with regards to baseball. I do not understand the presence of the flag of the 26th of July Movement next to the Cuban … Continue reading “Some Considerations / Fernando Damaso”

Leandro Cesar Mastrapa Igarza and Alexis Zayas Guillen were Ordained as Deacons/ Katia Sonia

The first two deacons of the Old Mission Church, Our Lady of Joy, in Cuba, were ordained by Monsignor Ricardo Santiago Medina Salabarría, Primate Bishop of this church in Cuba, at eight o’clock on the night of the Wednesday nineteenth of June of two thousand thirteen, in the Chapel (private) of “Immaculate Mary” of the … Continue reading “Leandro Cesar Mastrapa Igarza and Alexis Zayas Guillen were Ordained as Deacons/ Katia Sonia”

Rosa Maria Lives / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Tomorrow, at dawn, Rosa Maria Paya returns to Cuba, just as she promised at the Havana airport two months ago. Her word, contrary to what is common in Cuba, is honest. Rosa Maria will return without bodyguards and without a media scandal, vulnerable and smiling, caressing her tireless cross, back to her already classic humble … Continue reading “Rosa Maria Lives / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Light and Liberty / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo from Sampsonia Way

The images of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero covered the façade of Cuba’s diplomatic mission at New York City Read OLPL in English in Sampsonia Way here. Rosa María Payá is visiting the United States from April 3 to 16. She lives in Havana and is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, the Cuban dissident … Continue reading “Light and Liberty / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo from Sampsonia Way”