Search results for: political prisoners

Roberto López, Former Cuban Political Prisoner, Dies After Years Living on the Streets of Cádiz

López was many things: son of a bodyguard of Ernesto Guevara, musician with Pablo Milanés and Silvio Rodríguez, combatant in Angola, political prisoner in Cuba and exiled in Spain 14ymedio, Madrid, 9 May 2024 — Rarely does the Spanish press report on the death of a homeless person, but this week it happened. It started … Continue reading “Roberto López, Former Cuban Political Prisoner, Dies After Years Living on the Streets of Cádiz”

The Political Police Intensify Their Harassment Against Several Cuban Opponents and Journalists

State Security has launched a “repressive escalation” throughout the island, family and friends denounce 14ymedio, Havana, April 27, 2024 — Several independent activists and reporters have denounced the arrest of Camagueyan journalist José Luis Tan Estrada by State Security this Friday in Havana. After a month of tensions with the authorities, the reporter had traveled … Continue reading “The Political Police Intensify Their Harassment Against Several Cuban Opponents and Journalists”

Former Political Prisoner Ramon Jesus Velazquez Returns to the United States After Being Detained for More Than a Month in Villa Marista

The activist’s daughter, Rufina Velázquez, confirmed the information through her Facebook account 14ymedio, Havana, 21 April 2024 — The activist and former Cuban political prisoner, Ramón Jesús Velázquez Toranzo, returned to the United States this Saturday when he was released by State Security after being imprisoned for more than a month in Villa Marista, in … Continue reading “Former Political Prisoner Ramon Jesus Velazquez Returns to the United States After Being Detained for More Than a Month in Villa Marista”

Of the 314 Women Detained in Cuba for Political Reasons Since 11 July 2021 Protests, 56 Are Still in Jail

14ymedio, Havana, 15 March 2024 — One month after being diagnosed with a five-centimeter uterine fibroid, Lizandra Góngora, a political prisoner for participating in the Island-wide protests of 11 July 2021 and sentenced to 14 years, remains in Los Colonos prison, on the Island of Youth. Although neither the hospital of the special municipality nor … Continue reading “Of the 314 Women Detained in Cuba for Political Reasons Since 11 July 2021 Protests, 56 Are Still in Jail”

The Mother of Political Prisoner Sayli Navarro Was Arrested During Cuban President Diaz-Canel’s Visit to Matanzas

14ymedio, Havana, March 26, 2024 — Sonia Álvarez, mother of political prisoner Sayli Navarro, was arrested for several hours on Tuesday morning at the Jovellanos police station. Álvarez’s arrest was part of the security operations for the visit of Miguel Díaz-Canel to several municipalities in the province of Matanzas, says activist Annia Zamora. Zamora, mother … Continue reading “The Mother of Political Prisoner Sayli Navarro Was Arrested During Cuban President Diaz-Canel’s Visit to Matanzas”

Of the 314 Women Detained in Cuba for Political Reasons Since ’11J’ Mass Protests, 56 Are Still in Jail

14ymedio, Havana, 15 March 2024 — One month after being diagnosed with a five-centimeter uterine fibroid, Lizandra Góngora, a political prisoner for participating in the protests of 11 July 2021 and sentenced to 14 years, remains in Los Colonos prison, on the Island of Youth. Although neither the hospital of the special municipality nor the … Continue reading “Of the 314 Women Detained in Cuba for Political Reasons Since ’11J’ Mass Protests, 56 Are Still in Jail”

Independent journalist Carlos Michel Morales, ’11J’ Political Prisoner in Cuba, Is Released

14ymedio, Havana, 6 March 2024 — Independent journalist Carlos Michel Morales Rodríguez was released from prison this Wednesday after serving the sentence of two years and ten months of deprivation of liberty that he received for demonstrating in Caibarién, Villa Clara, during the popular protests of 11 July 2021 (commonly referred to as ’11J’), according … Continue reading “Independent journalist Carlos Michel Morales, ’11J’ Political Prisoner in Cuba, Is Released”

The Mother of an ’11J’ Political Prisoner Stands Up To Demand That Her Son Be Taken to a Hospital

14ymedio, Havana, January 10, 2024 — Migdalia Gutiérrez Padrón, mother of political prisoner Brusnelvis Cabrera Gutiérrez, has planted herself outside prison 1580 in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón in Havana. The woman demands medical attention for her son — sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in the protests of 11 July … Continue reading “The Mother of an ’11J’ Political Prisoner Stands Up To Demand That Her Son Be Taken to a Hospital”

The Political Police Arrest Cuban Opponent Oscar Biscet in Havana

14ymedio/EFE, Havana, January 9, 2024 — Cuban opponent Oscar Elías Biscet, founder of the Emilia Project that seeks to restore democracy in Cuba, was arrested on Monday near his home in the Lawton neighborhood, in Havana, according to his wife, Elsa Morejón. “At 8:00 am Oscar planned to go to a meeting with a group … Continue reading “The Political Police Arrest Cuban Opponent Oscar Biscet in Havana”

The Long Arm of Cuba’s Political Police Reaches Amelia Calzadilla in Spain

14ymedio, Yaiza Santos, Madrid, 24 December 2023 — Intending to violate the 7,500 kilometers of distance between Havana and Madrid, a message from State Security arrived last week for Amelia Calzadilla and her husband, Antonio Díaz. Both are regulated — the regime’s term of choice to mean ’forbidden to travel’ — and will not be able to return … Continue reading “The Long Arm of Cuba’s Political Police Reaches Amelia Calzadilla in Spain”

LASA Condemns ‘Political Repression in Cuba’ in the Case of Alina Barbara Lopez

14ymedio, Madrid, 12 December 2023 — After a couple of weeks of hesitations, the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) has taken the step expected by many of its Cuban members with the publication of a statement that “condemns political repression in Cuba” in general terms, as well as “in particular” in the case of the … Continue reading “LASA Condemns ‘Political Repression in Cuba’ in the Case of Alina Barbara Lopez”

Political Police Isolate Opponents During EU Representative Eamon Gilmore’s Visit to Cuba

14ymedio, Madrid, 24 November 2023 — Before the  of the European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, landed in Cuba, State Security had already detained Professor Pedro Albert Sánchez and Dr. Fernándo Vázquez, both activists, who had announced their intention to meet with the Irish senior official. Ana Elvis Amaya, wife of Pedro … Continue reading “Political Police Isolate Opponents During EU Representative Eamon Gilmore’s Visit to Cuba”

European Union Envoy for Human Rights Met With the Cuban Families of the Prisoners of the 11 July 2021 Protests

EFE (via 14ymedio), Madrid, 25 November 2023 —  The repression of dissent, the violation of political rights and the situation of prisoners sentenced for the protests of 11 July 2021 (11J) were the main complaints from Cuban civil society to the delegation of the European Union (EU) who visited the country this Thursday and Friday. … Continue reading “European Union Envoy for Human Rights Met With the Cuban Families of the Prisoners of the 11 July 2021 Protests”

Roberto Perdomo, Former Cuban Political Prisoner and Leader of Plantados, Dies in Miami

EFE (via 14ymedio), Miami, 11 October 2023 — Former Cuban political prisoner Roberto Perdomo, president of the Plantados exile group, died at the age of 89 of heart failure in a Miami hospital, close sources reported on Wednesday. His death in the Kindred hospital comes a month after he underwent surgery for a fracture due … Continue reading “Roberto Perdomo, Former Cuban Political Prisoner and Leader of Plantados, Dies in Miami”

‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police

14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana | 8 September 2023 — With more needs but equal enthusiasm, Havana residents gathered this Friday at the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Church on the corner of Manrique and Salud, in Centro Habana. Inflation and mass exodus have marked the day dedicated to Cachita*, the Patroness Saint of … Continue reading “‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police”