Search results for: march of the fighting people

With or Without the Organization of American States (OAS) / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

As a child in Havana, more than a decade after Cuba had been expelled from the Organization of American States (OAS)—for placing itself within the Soviet Iron Curtain and constituting a danger to the region’s democracies—we were still forced to chant at school that slogan with no expiration date: “With or without OAS, we will … Continue reading “With or Without the Organization of American States (OAS) / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

The Bloody Combinado del Este Prison Riot / Jose Antonio Fornaris

It happened in 2005. The prisoners were killed while guards remained impassive. A witness recounts the events. HAVANA, Cuba – A riot that caused several deaths and dozens of injuries occurred on April 5, 2005, at the the maximum security Havana prison, Combinado del Este. Yoslan Diaz Quinones, recently released from prison after serving more … Continue reading “The Bloody Combinado del Este Prison Riot / Jose Antonio Fornaris”

More Chalas Than Carmelas / Miriam Celaya

HAVANA, Cuba- I confess that I have some animosity against Cuban fiction film, so prone — with few exceptions — to clichés, stereotypes, overly cryptic messages, implied story morals, or what is perhaps worse, the search for easy and superficial acceptance through humor, catharsis or bad satire. I will not list examples, because there are … Continue reading “More Chalas Than Carmelas / Miriam Celaya”

Huber Matos’ 1959 Letter to Fidel Castro

Letter from Hubert Matos to Fidel Castro Camagüey, 19 October 1959 To Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, Prime Minister, Havana Compañero Fidel: Today I have sent to the Chief of Staff, through regulation channels, a radiogram regarding my position in the Rebel Army. I am assured that this matter will be elevated to you for your … Continue reading “Huber Matos’ 1959 Letter to Fidel Castro”

Marina Ochoa’s Messages / POLEMICA: The 2007 Intellectual Debate

Before anything else, please forgive me for entering so late into the discussion. My life is very complicated precisely because of the climate of indifference, incapacity and/or corruption that I see confirmed in all the applications to the housing “machine”. I am appalled! I mention it because in my opinion what brought an end to … Continue reading “Marina Ochoa’s Messages / POLEMICA: The 2007 Intellectual Debate”

Humberto Real Suarez: 16 Years Old, Condemned to Death / Lilianne Ruiz

Havana, Cuba, October 2013, www.cubanet.org – Humberto Real Suarez is another of the men who disembarked on the night of 15 October 1994 on the coasts of Caibarien, along with Armado Sosa Fortuny. Today he is serving a sentence of 30 years imprisonment in “Kilo 8” maximum security prison in Camagüey. The group of seven men, … Continue reading “Humberto Real Suarez: 16 Years Old, Condemned to Death / Lilianne Ruiz”

Sunflower Fields Forever / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Art by El Sexto 1. They read rather decadent things: Little novels of characters who committed suicide just before the authors who wrote them, second-hand editions as useful as recycled paper, banned books, unpublished pamphlets, raw gems, and etceteras of this style. Of course, reading decadent things made them think that they lived in “an … Continue reading “Sunflower Fields Forever / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Interview with Dimas Castellanos

Dimas is second from right. Interview with Dimas Castellanos Marti, historian and journalist. From Havana, Felix Sautie Mederos Por Esto! asks: “Unravel the causes of the crisis our society finds itself in (…) The concept of race as a group of hereditary characteristics seems to lack foundation, as a social construction it has a damaging … Continue reading “Interview with Dimas Castellanos”

A Silhouette of Light in the Midst of Shadows / Regis Iglesias

Regis Iglesias and Oswaldo Paya, prior to the 2003 Black Spring At 9 am I called tía Beba’s house. I was waiting to hear Efrén answer the phone as usual and update me on the early news of that March 19th day, as we did every day. The day before I had called in the … Continue reading “A Silhouette of Light in the Midst of Shadows / Regis Iglesias”

The Legacy of Intransigence / Miriam Celaya

Let’s say that for a long time the damn phrase hasn’t been heard in the mainstream media (although I must admit I’m not exactly a follower of that media). In any event, it’s been missing from the speeches, which slyly avoided it, like those who choose to ignore as far as possible the hard expressions … Continue reading “The Legacy of Intransigence / Miriam Celaya”

Any Wednesday / Rosa Maria Rodriguez

Marakka 2000 It’s Wednesday night and from a nearby radio I hear the theme song of Nocturno, the old Radio Progreso program which on this day of the week is devoted to the music of the prodigious decade (the ’60s and ’70s). The Spanish group Los Mitos with their pipi pipi pipi (It’s Very Easy) … Continue reading “Any Wednesday / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”

Yoani Sanchez: A Cuban Hurricane in Brazil (4) / Jorge Hernandez Fonseca

The impact of the attacks Yoani, victorious against the “demons” paid by the Cuban Embassy in the Brazilian capital, have become something of a legend in Brazil. After the Cuban blogger’s brilliant presentation, and a standing ovation, the next day there was a program in the city of Salvador, the capital of Bahia state. However, … Continue reading “Yoani Sanchez: A Cuban Hurricane in Brazil (4) / Jorge Hernandez Fonseca”

From Daddy State to Every Man For Himself / Iván García

Otilio’s house is a museum of artifacts from behind the Iron Curtain. Retired for 21 years, the single, childless octogenarian lives surrounded by anachronistic objects and starving cats. On one wall once the color of ivory, hanging sideways is an award for 45 years as the head of a gang of plumbers. As a reward … Continue reading “From Daddy State to Every Man For Himself / Iván García”

Art that Challenges / Angel Santiesteban

Art has always been feared by dictators for its silent and devastating property of exposing the occult. Because it is the messenger pigeon that conveys the feeling of the people, their fears and hopes. It also has the power to move public opinions and to help displace the warlords. The response of totalitarian governments, as … Continue reading “Art that Challenges / Angel Santiesteban”