El Cafe Cubano

Las Damas de Blanco en oración en el Cobre, domingo 29 de enero de 2012

2012-01-31T06:58:00.001-08:00

II Damas de Blanco en El Cobre, domingo 29 de enero ded 2012

2012-01-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

Reporte de Dama de Blanco Tania Montoya sobre el domingo 29 de enero de 2012

2012-01-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

NONVIOLENT ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT CUBA CONTINUE TO BE SYSTEMATICALLY ATTACKED BY RAPID RESPONSE BRIGADES

2012-01-31T06:52:00.000-08:00

CUBA

NONVIOLENT ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT CUBA CONTINUE TO BE SYSTEMATICALLY ATTACKED BY RAPID RESPONSE BRIGADES

Children are recruited by the regime to scream insults and slogans at human rights defenders

January 29, 2012

The week of January 23-29, 2012 saw the pro democracy movement increase their acts of civic resistance in the island as the regime incremented its acts of repression against the peaceful activists. Rapid Response Brigades or Rapid Action Groups made up of organized government mobs that intimidate and instill fear in the population by screaming slogans, carrying metal tubes, sticks, stones, etc. surrounded and attacked during hours and even days, dozens of homes of human rights defenders in numerous provinces from eastern to western Cuba. State Security forces were stationed at check points that controlled the free access to towns and cities as patrol cars guarded main avenues in the cities. Two independent journalists suffered violent attacks to their homes: in the eastern city of San German, gallons of blue paint were thrown against the front of the house of Luis Felipe Rojas while his family was inside. In Havana, the house of Dania Virgen suffered a mob attack that included children as well as adults.

On the 24th day of every month, the National Front of Civic Resistance and Disobedience Orlando Zapata Tamayo has called on all activists and the Cuban population in general to honor “Resistance Day” with acts of peaceful protests such as vigils, workshops, street rallies, civic remembrances, etc. On January 24 pots and pans were banged in the streets protesting the death of human rights defender Wilman Villar Mendoza, as the regime beat and arbitrarily arrested the participants.

On January 28, the 159th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban patriot Jose Marti the prodemocracy activists tried to publicly honor their compatriot but Cuban authorities: threatened them, physically mistreated and arbitrarily arrested them, and blocked their homes. Numerous activists also reported that their cell phone connections were blocked to prevent communication amongst themselves and with the international community.

The peaceful movement of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan continues to be subjected to violent acts by State Security agents who prevent their attendance to Mass through arbitrary arrests and by blocking their homes. This Sunday, paramilitary mobs screamed obscenities at them as they were going to honor the Patriot Jose Marti. They were pushed and taken away to police units in Havana. The Lady in White, Belkis Cantillo reported from Santiago de Cuba that authorities were following and filming them as they came out in unison of the Basilica of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre.

Among the reports received from Cuba are the following:

January 23, 2012 – In Havana, the home of Eriberto Liranza, which is the headquarters of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy, was surrounded by State Security agents who foiled the regular Monday meeting of this group from taking place. Yunior Ramirez Roca, Santiago Diaz Soto, Antionio Perez Romero, Jennifer Suarez Varela and others were threatened and prevented from reaching Liranza’s home and the following activists were subjected to short term arrests: Raul Parada Ramirez, Carlos Alexander Borrego Galardi and his wife, Ariadna Bernal Rosales as well as Eriberto Liranza.

January 24, 2012 – The National Front of Civic Resistance and Disobedience Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a coalition of pro-democracy groups throughout Cuba, took to the streets with a “Pots and Pans” protest to commemorate “Resistance Day” and honor the memory of their compatriot Wilman Villar Mendoza. Many of the activists who participated were brutally beaten and arrested and many of their homes were surrounded by screaming pro government paramilitary mobs. “We want the world to know what these henchmen are doing to us; we are peaceful activists who only cry out on behalf of freedom and democracy for the Cuban people,” declared Hermogenes Guerrero from Havana. Among the cities where this protest took place were: Havana, Banes, Holguin, San German, Guantanamo, Cardenas, and Velazco.

January 25, 2012 – Numerous acts of repudiation were carried out against homes of human rights defenders throughout Cuba: for a second day in a row, the house of activist Sara Marta Fonseca in Havana was surrounded during several hours by a paramilitary mob screaming government slogans; attacks were reported to the homes of activists in the eastern city of Palma Soriano such as was the case of Misael Valdes Diaz and his wife, Vivian Peña Hernandez.

January 26, 2012 – The Cuban political prisoner, Luis Enrique Labrador Diaz, was confined to a punishment cell in the Combinado del Este Prison in Havana for refusing to wear the common prisoner’s uniform and for demanding the 20 minute phone call allotted to all prisoners.

At 3 in the morning in the eastern city of San German, the home of the blogger and independent journalist, Luis Felipe Rojas was vandalized with “paint bombs.” Up to eleven eggs with blue oil paint were thrown against the front of the home, smearing up to the living room furniture and floor. Rojas was not home but his wife, Exilda Arjona and their two children, 8 and 3 witnessed the aggression. The couple eldest son, Malcom Rojas, is under psychiatric treatment for the continuous repressive acts he’s been subjected to. The activist Eliecer Palma Pupo was arrested before he got to Felipe Rojas’s home.

January 27, 2012 – On the eve of the 159th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban patriot Jose Marti, police officers and State Security forces carried out arrests throughout the following eastern cities in Cuba to prevent activists from carrying out any public commemorative acts: in Palma Soriano, Velasco, Gibara, Antilla, Baracoa, in Guantanamo, where the Ladies in White, Elisa Milagros Reinier, and Maria Alonso Cordoba, were mistreated and arrested; in Moa, the Lady in White, Maritza Cardoza Romero was arrested and taken to the Mayari Police Unit as she was on her way to attend Sunday mass at the Basilica of El Cobre; in Caimanera, Eliesei Aranda Matos of the human rights movement “Resistance and Democracy” was arrested; in Palmarito de Cauto, UMPACU activists Abraham Cabrera, Ruben Torres, and Maximilano Sanchez were denied permission by province officials to carry out any acts of homage to Jose Marti.

January 28, 2012 – On the 159th anniversary of the birth of Cuban patriot any acts of homage to honor the Cuban patriot Jose Marti across the island were blocked through repressive tactics. The Ladies in White, Elisa Reiner and Maria Alonso and the human rights defender Eleixei Aranda Matos were arrested. Patrol cars surrounded the home of human rights defender, Antonio Gonzalez Bordonado, member of UMPACU, in the neighborhood of Vista Hermosa, Santiago de Cuba and, in Placetas (central Cuba), the home of Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez was obstructed by agents. In Villa Clara, Guillermo del Sol Perez was arrested on his way to the home of the actvist Damaris Moya Portieles who was inaugurating the “Casa del Preso” to honor Cuban political prisoners.

From the eastern city of Moa Holguin, the human rights defender and member of UMPACU, Juan Carlos Vazquez Osoria reported that the home of Lady in White, Annis Sarrion Romero is under house surveillance to prevent her assistance to Mass this coming Sunday to the Basilica of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba. Rafael Meneses Pupo, Ariel Cruz Meneses, and Delvin Martinez were arrested before they were able to arrive at the home of Marta Diaz Rondon in Banes, Holguin where a workshop on Jose Marti was taking place.

In Havana, Manuel Cuesta Morua, director of the independent Cuban group, Arco Progresista and coordinator of a citizen’s project called “Nuevo Pais” (New Country), was detained around 9:30 a.m. to prevent his participation in a meeting of artists and activists that was planned to convene that afternoon at 6:00 p.m. Also in Havana, the home of independent journalist and blogger, Dania Virgen Garcia, was subjected to an act of repudiation in which around 50 children participated, screaming slogans alongside adults.

January 29, 2012 – Police operations were carried out in the eastern cities of Palmarito de Cauto, Palma Soriano, and Santiago de Cuba to prevent the Ladies in White from attending Mass at the Basilica of El Cobre. Peaceful human rights defender, Yoandi Beltran Gamboa and his wife, the Lady in White, Yusmari Chacon were arrested on their way to the Cathedral of Guantanamo.

Ladies in White arrested in Santiago de Cuba: Ana Celia Rodriguez, Teresa Roman, Doraisa Correoso,Annia Alegre, Maria Elena Matos, Kenia Alegrin and the activist Abel Martin.

Caridad Caballero Batista was aggressively arrested alongside Isabel Peña and Berta Guerrero ( all Ladies in White) as she was leaving her home in the eastern city of Holguin. Her husband Esteban Sande Suarez and her son Eric Sande were also arrested.

In Havana, human rights defender Sarah Marta Fonseca who is executive Secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the Andrei Sajarov Foundation and a spokesperson of the National Front of Civic Resistance and Desobedience Orlando Zapata Tamayo, as well as a Lady in White, was participating in a civic remembrance placing a wreath at a bust of Jose Marti in a park in El Vedado neighborhood when about 40 Ladies in White were attacked by Rapid Reponse Brigades screaming pro government slogans. (Audio of Berta Soler denouncing attack) http://www.martinoticias.com/templates/ocb-mediaDisplay.html?mediaPath=http://av.martinoticias.com/MartiMedia/audio/2012/1/D-015.mp3&mediaContentID=138291434. Around 46 women were mistreated, forced onto a bus, and arrested. Berta Soler and the daughter of the deceased Lady in White Laura Pollan (Laurita Pollan), were taken away in a separate car to a police unit were they were held for two hours. Berta’s husband, human rights defender Angel Moya and eleven more activists who were accompanying the women, were violently arrested and taken in patrol cars to different police units in Havana.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned with the systematic repression against members of the Ladies in White, Laura Pollan across Cuba. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro Blog: http://www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/

Facebook Page: Coalition of Cuban-American Women

Twitter: @COCAW1

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / José Daniel Ferrer + 53 53631267 / Caridad Caballero Batista + 5-2629749 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867 /

ESPOSA DE WILMAN VILLAR, MARITZA PELEGRINO, DESMIENTE A LA DICTADURA CASTRISTA

2012-01-27T05:28:00.001-08:00

Justicia, no más impunidad

2012-01-27T05:25:00.000-08:00

Dr. Darsi Ferret

La Habana, Cuba. 24 de enero de 2012.

Wilman Vidal ha sido asesinado. No puede calificarse de otro modo el acto de encerrar en una fría y mugrienta celda de castigo, sin agua ni asistencia médica, a un hombre desnudo y debilitado por la hambruna. El deterioro irreversible de su salud durante los 50 días que pasó en huelga de hambre, contó con el apoyo del desamparo, las más que probables palizas y la indiferencia de quienes lo custodiaban y se esforzaron en quebrar su posición ética de rechazo a la injusticia cometida contra su persona.

Era un joven lleno de vida, que con su muerte prevenible dejó abandonadas a su esposa y dos pequeñas niñas de 5 y 7 años. Su delito fue reclamar respeto a los Derechos Humanos y libertades ciudadanas. Razón suficiente para ser merecedor del odio, el desprecio y castigo de la junta militar que mantiene secuestrado el poder en Cuba e implementa una política de terrorismo de Estado para sojuzgar al pueblo.

Más no constituye un hecho aislado, sino que resulta apenas otra víctima de un Plan de eliminación física de opositores que, en años recientes, incluye la muerte de Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Wilfredo Soto y Laura Pollán. Además, está fresco el recuerdo de los crímenes perpetrados con el hundimiento del Remolcador 13 de Marzo en las afueras de la Bahía de La Habana, el derribo en aguas internacionales de las avionetas civiles de Hermanos al Rescate por aviones militares, la muerte en total abandono de decenas de enfermos mentales en el Hospital Psiquiátrico de la Habana, y el arbitrario y expedito fusilamiento de tres jóvenes negros que secuestraron una lancha en el intento de escapar de la isla.

Ante esta cadena de asesinatos la comunidad internacional ha reaccionado con pasividad, y hasta complacencia. En los últimos tiempos, solo en las prisiones cubanas se reportan muertes de reclusos en huelga de hambre. En ninguna otra nación del continente ocurren situaciones tan deplorables, ni siquiera en la cárcel de la Base Naval de Guantánamo. La dictadura militar argentina jamás ordenó golpear a las Madres de Plaza de Mayo, mientras las Damas de Blanco sufren todo tipo de agresiones por parte de la policía política. Cualquier intento de ejercer derechos elementales de reunión, asociación o manifestación es reprimido con brutalidad policial, arrestos arbitrarios y las golpizas protagonizadas por turbas progubernamentales que obran con total impunidad. Más de cien mil cubanos languidecen en las prisiones bajo régimen de torturas, tratos crueles, inhumanos y degradantes, sin el amparo de las normas de reclusión establecidas por la ONU.

El régimen de La Habana ha perdido toda legitimidad. Sus abusos y acciones represivas contra la población lo hacen similar a las repudiadas dictaduras del Medio Oriente. Tanto el gobernante sirio Bashar Al Assad como Raúl Castro en Cuba desconocen la voluntad popular, desprecian a sus pueblos y están dispuestos a aplastar mediante la fuerza cualquier reclamo que les cuestione su presencia vitalicia al frente del poder.

La aceptación de la junta militar de La Habana en foros internacionales, como el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, mancha la credibilidad de esas instituciones. Los gobiernos latinoamericanos y caribeños, que en su momento repudiaron las dictaduras militares establecidas en Chile y Argentina, deberían ser consecuentes y rechazar al régimen dictatorial de la isla. La OEA terminó desechando la suspensión de Cuba promovida por el gobierno de los EEUU. Sin embargo, no condena con firmeza los crecientes desmanes de la dictadura antillana. El dinero depositado por La Habana en la Banca internacional se utiliza en gran medida para satisfacer los lujos y vida aburguesada de la élite gobernante, además de financiar el tenebroso aparato represivo y de sojuzgamiento del pueblo, que cada día es obligado a soportar el incremento de la pobreza y de sus necesidades más elementales.

Resulta intolerable que en pleno Siglo XXI Cuba sea la única nación privada de democracia en todo el hemisferio occidental. En el actual clima de terror e impunes injusticias, la Oposición pacífica seguirá su sacrificada labor por la libertad del pueblo y la instauración en el país del Estado de Derecho. Los gobiernos e instituciones del mundo libre están llamados a superar las protestas morales y contemplaciones, y adoptar enérgicas condenas políticas y sanciones económicas contra el oprobioso régimen de los Castro. Al menos, hasta que cese la represión, legalicen el multipartidismo y se convoquen elecciones libres. No más sangre de inocentes, no más indolencia ni desesperanza. ¡Libertad!

Cuba: Muerte de disidente pone en evidencia el uso de tácticas represivas

2012-01-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

Deben cesar las amenazas contra la familia Villar Mendoza

Enero 20, 2012

(Washington, DC) – La muerte del disidente de 31 años Wilman Villar Mendoza el 19 de enero de 2012, tras una huelga de hambre que se extendió durante 50 días, demuestra que en Cuba persiste la represión, señaló hoy Human Rights Watch. El gobierno cubano debería poner fin inmediatamente a las amenazas dirigidas contra su esposa, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, y contra la organización Damas de Blanco de la cual recibe apoyo, así como desistir de medidas que impidan que ella y otros disidentes asistan al funeral de Villar Mendoza.

Villar Mendoza fue detenido el 2 de noviembre de 2011, luego de participar en una manifestación pacífica en Contramaestre, Cuba, para reclamar mayor libertad política y respeto de los derechos humanos, según indicó su esposa a Human Rights Watch. Villar Mendoza integraba la Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UMPACU), un grupo disidente que el gobierno cubano considera ilegítimo debido a que sus miembros expresan opiniones críticas.

“El caso de Villar Mendoza demuestra que el gobierno cubano castiga el disenso”, afirmó José Miguel Vivanco, director para las Américas de Human Rights Watch. “Para silenciar a los críticos se recurre a tácticas como arrestos arbitrarios, procesos judiciales que no son más que una farsa, encarcelamiento en condiciones inhumanas y persecución de familiares de disidentes”.

Villar Mendoza fue acusado de desacato y condenado a cuatro años de prisión tras una audiencia que duró menos de una hora, señaló su esposa a Human Rights Watch. Si bien ella pudoasistir al juicio, a otros disidentes que intentaron ingresar a la sala se les negó el acceso. Villar Mendoza no tuvo oportunidad de hablar en su defensa ni contó con representación de un abogado defensor, aseveró la esposa.

Su esposa dijo, además, que Villar Mendoza había iniciado la huelga de hambre como protesta por las injustas condiciones en que se llevó a cabo el juicio y se dispuso su encarcelamiento.

La Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional, una organización dedicada al monitoreo de los derechos humanos que no ha sido reconocida por el gobierno, calificó a Villar Mendoza como preso político en diciembre pasado.

Según manifestó su esposa, los guardias penitenciarios habrían sometido a Villar Mendoza a reclusión en condiciones de aislamiento luego de que iniciara la huelga de hambre el 25 de noviembre. Villar Mendoza contó a su mujer que lo habían desnudado y confinado a una celda de aislamiento minúscula y fría. La última vez que se le permitió visitar a su esposo fue el 29 de diciembre, señaló.

La esposa también contó a Human Rights Watch que funcionarios gubernamentales la habían hostigado en varias oportunidades por su relación con las Damas de Blanco, una organización de derechos humanos integrada por esposas, madres e hijas de presos políticos. Indicó que miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad del Estado amenazaron expresamente con quitarle a las hijas que tuvo con Villar Mendoza, de 7 y 5 años, si continuaba trabajando con las Damas de Blanco.

Según manifestó su esposa, Villar Mendoza fue trasladado a un hospital en Santiago de Cuba pocos días antes de su muerte. La esposa indicó que las autoridades no le avisaron sobre su muerte y que se enteró de lo ocurrido a través de contactos fuera de Cuba, que leyeron la noticia en la prensa internacional. Afirmó que aún no se le ha permitido ver el cuerpo y que tampoco se le proporcionó información sobre los preparativos para el funeral.

El 23 de febrero de 2010, otro preso político cubano, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, murió luego de una huelga de hambre de 85 días que había iniciado en repudio a las condiciones inhumanas de detención a las cuales estaba siendo sometido y para exigir tratamiento médico.

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Gritos de "asesinos" frente a la embajada de Cuba en Madrid

2012-01-21T20:04:00.000-08:00

From Libertad Digital:

Un grupo de disidentes recordaron a Wilman Villar frente a la embajada en Madrid. Hubo momentos de tensión cuando intentaban colocar una corona.

ld/agencias 2012-01-21

Alrededor de medio centenar de cubanos se han concentrado ante la Embajada de su país en España para protestar por la muerte del disidente Wilman Villar, fallecido en prisión durante una huelga de hambre.

La concentración, convocada por la plataforma "Cuba Democracia !ya!", se inició sobre las once de la mañana tras una valla en la acera de enfrente de la Embajada, que permanecía cerrada y sin actividad aparente y protegida por la dotación de un furgón del Cuerpo Nacional de Policía junto a su entrada principal.

Dos representantes de la plataforma convocante, entre ellos su presidente, Yuniel Jacobino, intentaron cruzar la calzada para colocar una corona de flores dedicada al disidente fallecido ante la verja, pero la Policía les cerró el paso y el responsible del operativo les comunicó que no podían pasar de allí por razones de seguridad.

Tras varios minutos de diálogo infructuoso con el responsible policial, los disidentes cubanos se retiraron después de comunicarle que, no obstante, intentarían colocar la corona de flores ante la verja. A los pocos minutos, otros seis furgones policiales reforzaron la protección en torno a la Embajada, hasta completar un número de agentes próximo al de los manifestantes.

Los disidentes permanecieron en el lugar autorizado para su concentración durante unos cuarenta minutos, haciendo ondear banderas de su país y gritando consignas en contra del régimen cubano, hasta que los dos responsables de la plataforma se dirigieron de nuevo hacia la entrada del edificio con la corona de flores.

Después de unos momentos de tensión y forcejeos con los agentes, el responsible del operativo de seguridad les propuso que depositaran la corona sobre la acera (no junto a la verja), a lo que accedieron para retirarse después al otro lado de la calzada.

Allí leyeron un manifiesto en el que denuncian que "a quienes se atreven a pedir libertad, democracia y respeto a los derechos humanos en Cuba les sucede lo que a Wilmar Villar Mendoza".

En el manifiesto se have un llamamiento a la comunidad democrática internacional para que ayude a detener "la ola represiva que han desatado los esbirros de la dictadura castrista para acallar el crimen de Wilman". La concentración finalizó con un minuto de silencio "por todos los asesinados en Cuba".

Cuba: Dissident’s Death Highlights Repressive Tactics

2012-01-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

From Human Rights Watch:

(Washington, DC) – The death of the 31-year-old dissident Wilman Villar Mendoza on January 19, 2012 following a 50-day hunger strike highlights the ongoing repression in Cuba, Human Rights Watch said today. The Cuban government should immediately put an end to the threats against his wife, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, and the group Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), which supports her, and drop any measures that would prevent her and dissidents from attending Villar Mendoza's funeral.

Villar Mendoza was detained on November 2, 2011, after participating in a peaceful demonstration in Contramaestre, Cuba calling for greater political freedom and respect for human rights, his wife told Human Rights Watch. He was a member of the Union Patriotica de Cuba, a dissident group the Cuban government considers illegitimate because its members express critical views.

"Villar Mendoza's case shows how the Cuban government punishes dissent," said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "Arbitrary arrests, sham trials, inhumane imprisonment, and harassment of dissidents' families – these are the tactics used to silence critics."

Villar Mendoza was charged with "contempt" (desacato) and sentenced to four years in prison in a hearing that lasted less than an hour, his wife told Human Rights Watch. While she was allowed to attend the trial, dissidents who tried to enter the courtroom were denied access. Villar Mendoza was not given the opportunity to speak in his defense, nor was he represented by a defense lawyer, she said.

His wife said he initiated his hunger strike to protest his unjust trial and imprisonment.

The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, a human rights monitoring group that the government does not recognize, classified Villar Mendoza as a political prisoner in December.

Prison guards placed Villar Mendoza in solitary confinement after he initiated the hunger strike on November 25, his wife said. He told his wife he was stripped naked and placed in solitary confinement in a small, cold cell. The last time she was allowed to visit her husband was on December 29, she said.

His wife also told Human Rights Watch that government officials had repeatedly harassed her for associating with the Damas de Blanco, a human rights group consisting of wives, mothers, and daughters of political prisoners. She said state security officers explicitly threatened to take away her and Villar Mendoza's daughters, ages 7 and 5, if she continued to work with the Damas.

According to his wife, Villar Mendoza was transferred to a hospital in Santiago de Cuba days before he died. His wife said authorities had not notified her of his death, and that she had been informed by contacts outside of Cuba, who read the story in the international press. She said she has not yet been allowed to see his body, nor has she been informed about funeral arrangements.

On February 23, 2010, another Cuban political prisoner, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, died after an 85-day hunger strike, which he initiated to protest the inhumane conditions in which he was being held and to demand medical treatment.

Collaboration: Humberto Capiro / HCapiro@aol.com

DECLARACION CONJUNTA DE ORGANIZACIONES DE EX PRESOS POLITICOS CUBANOS

2012-01-21T19:54:00.001-08:00

Miami, enero 20, 2011

Las Organizaciones de ex presos políticos abajo firmantes lamentamos la muerte del opositor Wilman Villar Mendoza.

Esta lamentable pérdida deja de manifiesto, que el Partido Comunista de Cuba no se detiene ante ninguna circunstancia en su obtusa obsesión por mantener el poder a cualquier precio.

Wilman desde su celda, como otros cubanos desde el mismo año 1959, solamente reclamaba sus derechos de preso político, arbitrariamente juzgado y condenado por un sistema totalitario que se caracteriza por la brutal represión contra sus opositores aunque éstos sean pacíficos.

Como organizaciones de ex presos políticos denunciamos al régimen de La Habana como responsable de esta muerte y ratificamos nuestro compromiso y respaldo con la oposición en la isla, la resistencia interna y con los presos políticos.

Estaremos enviando nuestra denuncia por este asesinato premeditado a los organismos e instancias pertinentes ante la perpetración de este otro crimen de la tiranía castrista.

La huelga de hambre es una de las pruebas más dura a la que puede someterse el ser humano, e inclinamos nuestras frentes ante el sacrificio supremo de Wilman por el rescate de los derechos de nuestro pueblo, como lo hicieron otros prisioneros políticos que entregaron sus vidas en iguales circunstancias y por la misma causa.

Consejo Nacional del Presidio Politico Cubano. Dr. Alfredo García-Menocal, secretario.

Coordinadora Internacional de Ex presos políticos cubanos. Nelis Rojas, pte.

Ex Club. Angel Cuadra, pte.

Frente Nacional del Presidio Politico Cubano, Rufino Alvarez, pte.

Presidio Político Histórico Cubano-Casa del Preso-. Luis G. Infante, pte.

Union de Ex presos politicos Zona N/NE de EE.UU. Montero Duque, pte.

Union de Ex presos politicos de Puerto Rico. Kemel Jamil, pte.

Unión de Ex presos políticos de California. Reynaldo Rodríguez-Ojeda, pte.

Luis G.Infante PP#34028

Cuba: Testimony of widow/Viuda de Wilman Villar

2012-01-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

AUDIO/ in Spanish (4:36 min.)

http://fonoteca.esradio.fm/2012-01-20/testimonio-en-esradio-de-la-mujer-de-wilman-villar-38912.html

A Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, viuda del reciente fallecido defensor de los derechos humanos en Cuba Wilman Villar Mendoza, no le han permitido ver el cadaver de su esposo y la Seguridad del Estado la tiene amenazada de quitarle sus dos hijas de 5 y 7 a~nos si no abandona su participacion en el movimiento pacifico de las Damas de Blanco en el Oriente de Cuba.

Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, widow of the recently deceased Cuban human rights defender has not been permitted access to her husband's dead body and State Security threatens to take away her two daughters, 5 and 7 years of age, if she doesn't stop participating in the peaceful human rights movement of the Ladies in White in Eastern Cuba.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DIES AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO CRUEL AND DEGRADING TREATMENT WHILE ON A HUNGER STRIKE IN PRISON

2012-01-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

CUBA

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DIES AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO CRUEL AND DEGRADING TREATMENT WHILE ON A HUNGER STRIKE IN PRISON

Peaceful Resistance Movement urgently requests world solidarity for the memory of Wilman Villar Mendoza

January 20, 2012

Cuban human rights defender, Wilman Villar Mendoza, who had been admitted in critical state to the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba on January 14 following a 50 day hunger strike (begun November 25, 2012), died on the evening of Thursday, January 18, 2012 of a multiple organ failure and a generalized sepsis.

Wilman Villar Mendoza, who was 31 years old and a member of the human rights group UMPACU (Union Patriotica de Cuba) began a hunger strike in the Prison of Aguadores on November 25, 2011 to protest the false accusations that led to his unjust incarceration and to demand his unconditional freedom. Wilmar was beaten and arrested following a public peaceful protest in the eastern town of Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced in a trial he called a “judicial farce” to four years in prison. He was charged with “refusing to obey an official” (desacato), “resistance” (resistencia), and “assault” (atentado).

As most members of the peaceful resistance movement in the island, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, leader of UMPACU, holds the Cuban government directly responsible for the demise of this peaceful human rights defender. Numerous activists across Cuba declared themselves in mourning and said this sad event unites them even more to continue defending the cause of human rights in Cuba.

The death of Wilman Villar Mendoza did not come about fortuitously nor is it an isolated case. The same terror tactics of mental and physical torture to subdue a political prisoner that have been systematically applied in Cuban prisons and which were applied to Orlando Zapata Tamayo, (who died on February 23, 2010 following a prolonged hunger strike) were also practiced on Wilman:

· Accused of being a common criminal

· Isolated in a humid punishment cell

· Confined naked

· Deprived of water and medical assistance

· Transferred to a medical facility once he is in a critical state of health

Wilmar’s widow, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, who is a “Lady in White”, is presently being denied access to her husband’s body and the Cuban government has unleashed a wave of repression throughout Cuba as members of the peaceful resistance movement are trying to pay their last respects to their compatriot. The Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital is surrounded by military guards. Liudmila Rodriguez Palomo reported that State Security agents in patrol cars, carrying sticks and stones, violently arrested activists in the Eastern city of Palma Soriano. The house of Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez and his wife, Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera in the Central city of Placetas is surrounded by State Security agents.

For months, the Coalition of Cuban-American Women has been alerting the international community that the lives of those human rights defenders who are publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms in Cuba are in danger. We urgently call on religious, civic, political and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as the media and the non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide, to recognize and display their solidarity on behalf of these men and women who are sacrificing their lives for the cause of human rights in Cuba.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales + 5353842338 / Iris T. Perez Aguilera +5352417749 / Jose Luis Garcia Perez “Antunez” +5352731656

Wilman Villar Mendoza

2012-01-20T06:14:00.000-08:00

Carta a Mons. Wensky de un balsero catolico cubano

2012-01-20T04:01:00.000-08:00

Carta a Mons. Wensky de un balsero catolico cubano

Estimado monseñor Wensky,

Le escribe un cubano balsero quien durante los 20 años que vivió en Cuba fue educado bajo los principios comunistas del Ateísmo y el odio oficializado a quienes asistían a la iglesia, viví como testigo circunstancial los abusos y ofensas a mis vecinos y compañeros de clases por practicar el cristianismo y asistir a iglesias de cualquier denominación, no tuve la suerte de tener una familia cristiana, y nunca pise una iglesia católica por miedo al repudio como niño confundido por el adoctrinamiento ,eso no me alejo de Dios. Después de todo lo vivido, le puedo decir que al llegar al exilio y después de muchos años y gracias a mi esposa ,me bautice católico a los 33 años de edad.

Monseñor ,el Sur de la Florida está lleno de EXILIADOS Políticos católicos cubanos, víctimas de la dictadura castrista, lleno de familiares de fusilados que murieron en el paredón gritando con honor y valentía “Viva Cristo Rey”, este segundo terruño está lleno de católicos exiliados que su único delito fue tratar de practicar su religión bajo una dictadura ateísta. Monseñor su idea de organizar un peregrinaje a Cuba para la visita del Santo Padre es desafortunada al igual que sus declaraciones , por tratarse del lugar donde se encuentra ,usted “sin darse cuenta” ,esta fungiendo como agencia de viajes a Cuba para darle credibilidad a un régimen criminal y asesino y por si fuera poco llenarle las arcas de dólares.

Esa Dictadura es la responsable de miles de muertes de balseros en el mar ,miles de católicos fueron hundidos en sus balsas y embarcaciones por sacos de arena lanzados desde el aire por los miembros de las tropas represivas que cerraron los colegios e iglesias católicas.

Monseñor el acercamiento a un régimen criminal y asesino del pueblo católico cubano no es la forma de liberarlo, cada paso de acercamiento que da la iglesia es respondido con mas represión a su pueblo, mas golpes y encarcelamientos ,cuando usted gratifica al régimen organizándole viajes turísticos como si nada estuviera pasando , esta avalando su represión y violación a los derechos humanos de los católicos cubanos que en las puertas de las iglesias son masacrados al más cruel estilo de Hitler.

Las mujeres católicas cubanas, sin ir muy lejos ,sufren cada domingo esta represión al salir de misa en la Habana y caminar con una flor en la mano, que ha dicho usted sobre eso?, que ha dicho el Cardenal Ortega? ,es el silencio forma de estar del lado de los humildes y el pueblo de Dios? ,cuantas misas a, usted, servido en sus viajes a Cuba pidiendo por la salud de los presos políticos cubanos y la libertad del pueblo católico?

Usted tomara la decisión final de ir o no en ese viaje turístico a Cuba, si lo hace tome también la decisión de identificar los fieles con una camiseta que Diga “Exilio Católico cubano de Miami” y dígale a la dictadura que su comitiva va vestida así ,usted verá como se le acaba el viajecito sin ni siquiera aterrizar en la Habana ,si tiene usted miedo hacerlo ,entonces no es un fiel representante de Cristo, dígame cuando Cristo temió ante un solo reto?

Recuerde que Jesús murió en la cruz por su pueblo , y prefirió morir sacrificado a latigazos por su amor a ellos ,ir de viaje turístico a una Dictadura criminal y asesina del pueblo católico , es como ir de paseo al palacio de Pilatos, mientras este se lavaba las manos y mandaba a Cristo a la cruz.

Enrique Padrón

Balsero cubano y católico exiliado

Carta de Nestor Campaneria Angel a Msgr Wensky

2012-01-20T03:50:00.000-08:00

Carta de Nestor Campaneria Angel a Msgr Wensky

Msgr.Wenski: Mi nombre es Nestor Campaneria Angel, nacido en Cuba y residente de Miami desde hace 50 años; soy miembro de la parroquia de St.Kevin, donde estoy activo en varios apostolados, desde 1972; soy cursillista (#69), hemos sido,mi señora y yo, miembros del Movimiento de Camino del Matrimonio. Ambos somos ministros laicos, activos tambien en St.Kevin.

El 18 de Abril de 1961, mi hermano, Virgilio Campaneria Angel, miembro de la A.C.U. y estudiante de Derecho de la Universidad de La Habana y de la Universidad Catolica de Villanueva, fue ejecutado ante un paredon de fusilamientos, junto a Alberto Tapia Ruano y otros 6 cubanos mas. Virgilio tenia 23 años.

Ya frente al paredon, y antes de morir, sus ultimas palabras, oidas en toda La Cabaña por todos los presos, fueron....VIVA CRISTO REY....VIVA CUBA LIBRE...VIVA EL DIRECTORIO REVOLUCIONARIO ESTUDIANTIL.

Tambien Virgilio dejo una carta, su testamento politico, y en ella nos dice, entre otras cosas..."La muerte no me preocupa,porque tengo fe en Dios y en los destino de mi Patria"..."yo voy feliz porque ya veo libre a mi Patria"...."ya no habra mas odio entre hermanos, ya no habra mas gargantas que pidan paredon."

Mas adelante, continua Virgilio: "pobre Cuba, cuanto has sufrido, pero la Cuba nueva surge del odio para sembrar el amor, de la injusticia para sembrar la justicia, justicia social. No demagogia engañadora de pueblo, una Cuba para los Cubanos y "con todos y para el bien de todos""

La carta, de la que Ud. puede facilmente conseguir una copia completa, termina con las frases que gritaria antes de ser fusilado.

Podria continuar nombrando muchos otros hechos represivos contra mi familia, como es que el cuerpo de Virgilio fue enterrado en una fosa comun y sin marcar en el cementerio de Colon en La Habana; y que a mis padres nunca los dejaron salir, sino cuando mi padre murio...para poderle quitar la casa a la anciana viuda.

Como vera, tengo muchos motivos, por los cuales volver a Cuba (pero solo a una Cuba como la soño mi hermano).

Msgr.Wenski: no quiero alargar mas esta carta, pero espero que Ud. no este creando un nuevo "apartheid" aqui en el sur de la Florida..."los que van ,por que el gobierno de Cuba se los permite y los que queriendo ir, no pueden, por que se les niega el permiso"

Quiero recordarle,que en Cuba aun hay represion; que en Cuba aun se persigue a aquellos que NO estan de acuerdo con el regimen imperante; que "aun hay gargantas que piden paredon"; que el hecho de que la Iglesia, nuestra Iglesia, tenga un poco mas de apertura (conveniencia??) NO quiere decir que el pueblo cubano goza de plenas libertades.

Sinceramente, creo que el gobierno de Raul Castro, solo permitira la entrada a aquellos que ellos consideren no les crearan problemas. Me pregunto...Cuales seran los requisitos????

No me prolongo mas. Solo le pido a Dios que esta idea suya, de la peregrinacion, no sea un error que divida mas aun a los catolicos de Miami. Y lo que aun puede ser mas triste, la division entre los Catolicos cubanos y los de la Diaspora.

Con mi mayor respeto.

Nestor Campaneria Angel.

Miami,fl

EL VIAJE DE BENEDICTO XVI A CUBA: ESPERANZAS Y PREOCUPACIONES

2012-01-20T03:08:00.000-08:00

EL VIAJE DE BENEDICTO XVI A CUBA: ESPERANZAS Y PREOCUPACIONES

Por Armando F. Valladares

Miami (FL), 01 de enero de 2012

Puede difundirse y publicarse por cualquier medio, libremente. Si fuera posible, comunique la publicación y/o su valiosa opinión a armandovalladares2011@gmail.com

El próximo 26 de marzo S.S. Benedicto XVI llegará a la isla-cárcel de Cuba para una visita de tres días. El dictador Raúl Castro prometió que el Pontífice será recibido con "afecto" y "respeto"; y se apresuró a anunciar el indulto de 2.900 presos, de los cuales solamente 7 son presos políticos. Por su parte, el portavoz de la Santa Sede, P. Federico Lombardi, declaró que Benedicto XVI "desea mucho" conocer Cuba y que ese viaje será "ciertamente" uno de los principales acontecimientos de 2012.

Es explicable que el anuncio de la visita papal a un país subyugado por un régimen comunista, especialmente cruel y represivo, que acaba de cumplir 53 interminables años, despierte sentimientos de esperanza en el sentido de que contribuya a obtener la libertad de 11 millones de cubanos.

No obstante, similares expectativas se abrieron en 1998 por ocasión del viaje a Cuba de S.S. Juan Pablo II; pero el régimen supo capitalizar publicitariamente la visita, lo cual contribuyó para que los jerarcas comunistas continuasen en el poder. Esa constatación provocó en no pocos defensores de la libertad, contrarios al socialismo, una desilusión y un sentimiento de frustración que se prolongan hasta hoy.

En estos momentos, la natural preocupación de muchos cubanos, de la isla y del destierro, es que una situación similar pueda repetirse con este segundo viaje de un Pontífice a Cuba . El propio secretario de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Cuba (COCC), monseñor José Félix Pérez Riera, reconoció que el viaje de Benedicto XVI podrá traer para el desdichado pueblo cubano un "respiro de libertad", pero se apresuró a descartar consecuencias políticas de la visita papal. Los Pastores cubanos se han encargado de mantener, durante las últimas décadas, una lamentable y persistente política de colaboración con los Lobos que oprimen al rebaño.

Esa natural preocupación de numerosos cubanos se ve confirmada por el hecho de que, ante la perspectiva del viaje papal, el régimen esté anunciando cambios "cosméticos" que impresionan a ciertos ingenuos o desconocedores de la realidad cubana, pero que en el fondo no modifican la naturaleza criminal del régimen.

Hasta hace pocos días existía, por ejemplo, la expectativa de que el gobierno comunista levantara o atenuase la severa prohibición de entrar y salir libremente de la isla, lo cual configura uno de los motivos por los cuales Cuba continúa siendo una isla-cárcel. Pero el propio Raúl Castro acaba de aplazar esa perspectiva de flexibilización, reconociendo en la más reciente sesión de la Asamblea Nacional que no puede ceder en ese punto medular porque con él está indisociablemente en juego "el destino de la Revolución".

En materia de libertad religiosa, el régimen alardea, y los Pastores aplauden, que la Constitución cubana "reconoce, respeta y garantiza la libertad religiosa" (artículo 55). Pero poco o nada se habla sobre la existencia del artículo 62 de la propia Constitución que se encarga de retirar aquello que en apariencia se acaba de conceder. En efecto, el referido artículo advierte que "ninguna de las libertades" constitucionales puede ejercerse "ni contra la existencia y fines del Estado socialista, ni contra la decisión del pueblo (sic) cubano de construir el socialismo y el comunismo". Y se añade, en una amenaza explícita, constantemente llevada a la práctica, que "la infracción de este principio es punible". El régimen está dispuesto a tolerar solamente un tipo de religiosidad que tenga efectos anestésicos sobre las conciencias, una religiosidad que no deje al descubierto que el comunismo es una doctrina diametralmente contraria a los Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios.

Esa preocupación de cubanos de dentro y fuera de la isla con las perspectivas del viaje papal se ve reafirmada delante de las palabras con las cuales Benedicto XVI recibió las cartas credenciales del actual embajador cubano ante la Santa Sede. El Pontífice llegó a elogiar el "internacionalismo" cubano, que en realidad fue el instrumento responsable por tanta sangre y lágrimas derramadas en América Latina y África. En la ocasión, el Pontífice destacó como ejemplos de los pretendidos beneficios del internacionalismo cubano la "alfabetización" y la "salud". No obstante, tal como la propia Constitución cubana lo reconoce, y los hechos lo comprueban, esos tan publicitados logros no son sino dos tenazas satánicas de control psicológico, mental y social de niños, jóvenes y adultos en Cuba y en otros países donde han sido aplicadas.

Por fin, esa preocupación se intensifica si se considera el procastrismo demostrado por el Cardenal Tarcisio Bertone, actual Secretario de Estado de la Santa Sede, durante tres viajes a la isla-cárcel, el primero de ellos en cuanto Arzobispo de Génova, y los dos más recientes en su condición de Secretario de Estado. Ya en su primer viaje a la isla-cárcel, el Cardenal Bertone, después de una larga entrevista con Fidel Castro, tejió loas a la "notable lucidez" del tirano, expresó su convicción de que en él habría "crecido el respeto por la religión" y el "aprecio por la Iglesia", y remató, contrariando todas las evidencias, que en la isla-cárcel "la apertura ya es total".

Quiera la Providencia evitar cualquier instrumentación de la visita por parte de los actuales jerarcas del comunismo cubano. A propósito del próximo viaje de Benedicto XVI a Cuba , son estas las primeras reflexiones, sinceras y respetuosas que ofrezco a los lectores.

En cuanto fiel católico cubano, creo que tengo no solamente el derecho, sino la obligación de conciencia de dar a conocer estas consideraciones. Ya lo he dicho, y lo reitero en esta nueva coyuntura de la vida de la Iglesia y de Cuba, que se aproxima. Tengo un compromiso con aquellos jóvenes mártires católicos que murieron en el "paredón" de la siniestra prisión de La Cabaña gritando "¡Viva Cristo Rey! !Abajo el comunismo!", verdaderas proclamas de fe, de heroismo y de martirio que aún resuenan en mis oídos, y en los oídos de tantos ex presos políticos sobrevivientes de La Cabaña, como si fuera hoy. Tengo, sí, un compromiso de honra con mis amigos asesinados en la prisiones castristas; con la lucha por la libertad de mi Patria; con la Historia; y, por encima de todo, con Dios y con la Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Patrona de Cuba.

Armando Valladares, escritor, pintor y poeta. Pasó 22 años en las cárceles políticas de Cuba . Es autor del best-seller "Contra toda esperanza", donde narra el horror de las prisiones castristas. Fue embajador de los Estados Unidos ante la Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la ONU bajo las administraciones Reagan y Bush. Recibió la Medalla Presidencial del Ciudadano y el Superior Award del Departamento de Estado. Ha escrito numerosos artículos sobre la colaboración eclesiástica con el comunismo cubano y sobre la "ostpolitik" vaticana hacia Cuba .

Referencias:

Cuba : el preso político y el Pastor-carcelero (2011)

http://www. cubdest.org/1106/c1102card.html

Beatificación de Juan Pablo II y Cuba: dilema de conciencia para los católicos cubanos (2011)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/1106/c1104jpii.html

Benedicto XVI: ¿"beatificación" del internacionalismo castrista? (2010)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/1006/c1001benedicav.html

Diplomacia vaticana y episcopado cubano: ¿"mediación" o "salvamento"? (2010)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/1006/c1006mambertiav.html

Embajador cubano ante la Santa Sede: mentira, fraude y sangre de mártires (2010)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/1006/c1002embcubav.html

Benedicto XVI y el viaje a Cuba del cardenal Bertone (2008)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/0806/c0803av.html

Cuba : el Lobo y los Pastores celebran encuentro "constructivo y amistoso" (2005)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/0512/c0511val.html

Cardenal Bertone-Cuba: el Pastor 'bendice' al Lobo (2005)

http://www. ; cubdest.org/0512/c0510bertoneav.html

The Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution

2012-01-17T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution from Carlos Montaner on Vimeo.

H/T to my mom and dad for this video!

Ignacio Martínez Montero se declara en huelga de hambre este 12 de enero

2012-01-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

CUBA:HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DYING IN A HOSPITAL AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS ON A HUNGER STRIKE

2012-01-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

January 15, 2012

Wilmar Villar Mendoza, a 32 year old Cuban political prisoner of the Eastern city of Contramaestre was transferred on January 14, 2012, from the Prison of Aguadores to the Hospital Juan Bruno Zayas in Santiago de Cuba in critical condition after almost two months on hunger strike. Wilmar is unconscious and suffering from pneumonia. The doctors informed the family that there is nothing that can be done for him and that his death is imminent. The activist, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UMPACU), was on a hunger strike demanding his freedom and protesting the false accusations that led to his unjust incarceration. Wilmar was beaten and arrested following a public peaceful protest in Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced in a trial he called a “judicial farce” to four years in prison. He was charged with “refusing to obey an official” (desacato), “resistance” (resistencia), and “assault” (atentado).

Wilmar’s wife, Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, as well as activists of several human rights groups had been demanding for several weeks, in front of the prison, that he be taken out of the harsh conditions he was subjected to and that he receive a medical attention he was being denied. She denounced that State Security tried to bargain her husband’s release when he was already on his deathbed, demanding that she stop being a member of the “Ladies in White”. When she refused, the agents threatened to take her children away from her. Maritza was misled to go to the Prison of Boniato where she was falsely informed that her husband had been transferred.

Yasmin Conyedo, the representative of the Ladies in White in Villa Clara, central Cuba, and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmoris continue under arrest in a police unit known as the UPOP since Sunday, January 8, 2012 when their house was attacked by a pro-government mob and when they were both severely beaten and arrested. As a result of their unjust detention, twenty seven arrests were documented in the central province of Villa Clara.

The Lady in White, Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montejo, and a Cuban citizen, Isabel Haydee Alvarez remain confined in maximum security prisons in Havana without formal charges. All three were violently arrested on November 30, 2011, following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in central Havana.

Throughout the week of January 9 – 15, 2012, members of the peaceful Cuban internal resistance movement who publicly demanded fundamental freedoms in numerous provinces across the island where threatened, intimidated, subjected to threats, beatings, short term detentions, house arrests, and acts of repudiations that were instigated and carried out by the political police.

Below are some of the human rights violations reported from the island since January 9, 2012.

JANUARY 10, 2012 – Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera, president of the Cuban Rosa Parks Civil Rights Movement, was beaten and detained when she was on her way to the local hospital in Placetas (Central Cuba) to seek medical treatment. Yris has been beaten with such violence by State Security agents on so many ocassions in the last months that she is suffering from serious injuries throughout her body (see attached photo of Yris sent from Cuba).

JANUARY 11-12, 2012 – In the evening hours of January 11 in (Eastern Cuba), Municipio Luis Antonio Mella, Santiago de Cuba, the house of human rights defender Karina Santana (Lady in White) and her husband Ramón Bolaños was attacked for hours as it has been many times before by a mob throwing eggs.

In Eastern Cuba, Roberto González, Arnold Hernández and Raúl Frómeta, were arrested in Dos Caminos where they were going to carry out a public peaceful protest.

A group of activists in Villa Clara, Placetas, Cienfuegos, Sagua la Grande and Manicaragua (Central Cuba) were subjected to beatings and short term detentions when they went to march and protest on behalf of Yasmin Conyedo and her husband, Rafael Yusmani. After their released, many were left abandoned in remote areas, far from their homes: María del Carmen Martínez López, Alexei Sotolongo Díaz, Yanoisi Contrera Aguilar, Michel Oliva López, Yosmel Martínez Colcho, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Omar Núñez Espinosa, Zander Reyes Machado, José Lino Ascencio López, Rodoisy Zapata Blanco, Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez, Jorge Luis Artiles Montier, and Guillermo Fariñas Hernández. In Placetas: Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, Yaimara Reyes Mesa, Xiomara Martín Jiménez, Yaite Diosnellys Cruz Sosa. In Cienfuegos: Pablo González Villa, Justo Luis Alonso García.

On January 12, Ignacio Martinez Montero, confined in the Combinado del Este Prison began a hunger strike demanding his freedom. In a recording obtained via telephone by the independent journalist, Roberto de Jesus Guerra in Havana, Martinez Montero states: “ either I’m released or I will be taken out of this prison dead.”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ8oo0HCvJY

In Havana, a vigil that was to take place on behalf of Ivonne Malleza and her husband Ignacio Martinez caused the short term arrest of the following activists: Vidiet Martinez, Mercedes Evelyn Garcia, Ismael Alfaro, Leonardo Chalas and Odalis Sanabria. Odalis was taken to the outskirts of Havana and left abandoned far from her home.

JANUARY 13, 2012 – The house of Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista, was under watch by State Security to intimidate her and prevent her attendance to Sunday Mass in the Eastern city of Holguin.

In the Western province of Pinar del Rio, activists and members of the Ladies in White were subjected to house arrest when their houses were surrounded and their phone service was interrupted. Maria Cecilia Ramos, the representative of the Ladies in White in the western province of Pinar del Rio, was threatened by the political police on January 12 so she would not participate in the marches of the Ladies in White. She was summoned on the 13th to appear at a Police Unit in Pinar del Rio and suffered an act of repudiation or mob attack to her home on Sunday, January 15, 2012.

JANUARY 14, 2012 – Idania Llanes Contreras, president of the Central Coalition Opposition reported from Central Cuba that State Security had surrounded the homes of numerous human rights defenders to prevent any public protests for the arrest of the Lady in White, Yasmin Conyedo, and her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmoris. The ex-political prisoner of conscience, Librado Linares was held prisoner in his house in Camajuani and the same happened to the activists Enrique Martinez Marin and Orlando Alfonso Martinez in Manicaragua.

Also in Central Cuba, the activist Jose Lino Asencio Lopez declared himself on hunger strike, demanding the freedom of Yasmin Conyedo.

Ladies in White, Marta Diaz Rondon, Gertrudiz Ojeda Suarez and Miladis PInales Rosa were beaten and arrested when they were traveling from Banes to Holguin. Mariblanca Aviles Esposito was also subjected to acts of repression in the town of Velasco, province of Holguin.

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Cuban Republican Party and affiliated to UMPACU in Eastern Cuba, reported the arrest of the following Ladies in White who were taken to the Police Unit called “Unidad de Enfrentamiento”: Aurora Martin Calderin, Niraida Martin Calderin and Matilde Mejias.

JANUARY 15, 2012 – Rapid Response Brigades, members of the political police, the communist party and communist youth surrounded the homes of activists and Ladies in White to prevent them from attending Mass in the Western province of Pinar del Rio. The home of the ex-political prisoner of conscience, Eduardo Diaz Fleites (located at Calle 20 #1303A at Entronque de Herradura) where he was with his niece and Lady in White, Marielis Diaz Torres, suffered an act of repudiation carried out by a mob of around 40-50 people from 8:00 a.m.-11:00a.m. to prevent them from going to the Church of Consolacion del Sur.

At around midday, at a checkpoint located between the cities of El Cobre and Santiago de Cuba, nineteen members of the Ladies in White who had just attended Mass at the Basilica of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba, and who were on their way to give their support to the wife of Wilmar Villar Mendoza at the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital, were violently beaten and arrested by male and female police agents. Those who were beaten the most were Tania Montoya Vazquez, Yakelin Garcia Jaen and Aricel Figueredo Valdes. Other women involved in the incident were: Yanelis Elegica Despaigne, Yamiseli Aliaga Callamo, Karina Quintana Hernandez, Madelaine Santo Grillo, Mayelin la O Montero, Darmis Aguedo Zaldivar,Yarisel Figueredo Valdes, Yanilla Montero Vazquez, Aliagna Isaac Leme,Arelis Rodriguez Chacon, Aurora Martin Calderin, Miraida Martin Calderin, Yudislaidis Travieso Barlobo, Yusmari Chacon Lamot, Elisa Milagro Reinier Acosta, and Maria Alfonso Cordoba. Aurora and Miraida were arrested twice on January 15, and still remain under arrest.

Human rights defenders in Eastern Cuba who were also beaten and arrested when they tried to show their solidarity on behalf of Wilmar Villar Mendoza in front of the hospital where he lies in critical condition were: Raumel Tinajera Altive, Rulisan Ramirez Rodriguez, Enyor Bismar Peña Perez, Yuselin Ferrera Espinosa, Antonio Gonzalez Bordonado, Ovidio Martin Castellanos, Carlos Martin Calderin, manuel Santiago Zaldivar Gonzalez, Andry Verdecia Osorio, Abraham Carrera Torres, Aurora Martin Calderin, Arelis Rodriguez Chacon, Luis Enrique Lozada Igarza, Enrique Lozada Ayedo, and Miraida Martin Calderin. Ana Celia Rodriguez Torres and her husband Henry Perales Elias.

In Contramaestre, Eastern Cuba, the home of human rights defender, Jorge Cervantes was attacked by a mob because he had a sign in the front that read: “Wilmar cannot die”.

The Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista and her husband, the activist, Esteban Sande Suarez, were arrested in the Eastern city of Holguin. Though Caridad was released, the whereabouts of her husband are still unknown.

Guillermo Fariñas was arrested in the central Cuban city of Villa Clara.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in the cases of Wilmar Villar Mendoza, Yasmin Conyedo, her husband, Rafael Yusmani Esmori, Ivonne Mayeza, her husband Ignacio Martinez Montero, and Isabel H. Alvarez. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 /

/ Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610 / Tania Montoya + 5-3146329 / Caridad Caballero Batista + 5-2629749 /

Idania Yanes Contreras + 5-2510980

LIBERTAD........FREEDOM!!!!!

2012-01-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

"ACHESINO BENZ "

2012-01-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

From the humor of Alfredo Pong:

DAMAS DE BLANCO EN EL COBRE,SANTIAGO DE CUBA

2012-01-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Dictator meets with Dictator in Cuba

2012-01-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

Ros-Lehtinen Says Cuban Regime Big Winner in New Travel Spree

2012-01-12T04:23:00.000-08:00

NEWS

House Foreign Affairs Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman
CONTACT: Brad Goehner and Andeliz Castillo, (202) 225-5021
Alex Cruz (South Florida press), (202)-225-8200
http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/

For IMMEDIATE Release - January 10, 2012

Ros-Lehtinen Says Cuban Regime Big Winner in New Travel Spree

Says Obama Administration Policies to Blame for Increased Travel Revenue to Dictatorship

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today spoke about an influx of advertisements promoting travel to Cuba, and criticized the Obama Administration’s policies which are providing an additional source of income for the Castro dictatorship. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Travel advertisements are springing up throughout the United States seeking to entice American tourists to take a trip to the island. The New York Times recently joined the Cuba travel bandwagon, ranking Havana as number 10 of ‘The 45 Places to Go in 2012.’ But the Times’ assist to the propaganda machine of repressive regimes was not just limited to Cuba. It also touted Burma, under the rule of the brutal military junta, as a must see, ranking it as number 3. National Geographic Expeditions is also on board, organizing a 10-day trip to Cuba, and the Smithsonian Institution is sponsoring four so-called ‘cultural exchange’ trips to the island through Smithsonian Journeys.

“These romanticized trips to the oppressed island are portrayed as an opportunity for ‘people to people’ interaction. In reality, the travelers will interact only with people who are either working for the Cuban regime, or who are coerced into giving the party line to foreign tourists and other visitors, or face grave consequences. All the while, the dictatorship is laughing all the way to the bank as it replenishes its coffers with tourist money.

“With gushing write-ups coming from the U.S., the Cuban propaganda machine can take a day off. The regime itself would be proud of such alluring advertising with nary a mention of a dictator, or the political prisoners suffering and dying at the hands of the regime, or the U.S. citizen unjustly imprisoned, or the beatings that the Ladies in White and other peaceful pro-democracy advocates are subjected to.

“The truth about Cuba is that it is unjustly imprisoning a U.S. citizen, harboring dangerous U.S. fugitives, harassing and jailing innocent Cubans, and is designated by the U.S. State Department as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.”

"Miami archbishop hopes for 'springtime of faith' in pope's visit to Cuba"

2012-01-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

From McClatchy:

By Mimi Whitefield

McClatchy Newspapers

Mimi Whitefield

MIAMI — Beyond strengthening the Catholic faith in Cuba, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said Monday that he hopes Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Cuba in March will offer a message of reconciliation to Cubans.

"I hope the pope will promote the idea of reconciliation. ... I'm talking about the reconciliation of people," Wenski said, noting the frustration and distrust that sometimes exists among Cubans on the island, and the separation of those in exile.

After visiting Mexico, the pope will fly to Santiago, Cuba, on March 26 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin de Caridad de Cobre (Our Lady of Charity) - Cuba's patron saint. He also plans to visit the virgin's shrine in the small town of El Cobre, and then go to Havana, where he will take part in a Mass in the Plaza of the Revolution - the same square where hundreds of thousands of people heard Pope John Paul II celebrate Mass in 1998.

Benedict, Wenski said, will visit Cuba "to affirm the faith of the church and also perhaps to open up Cuban society to the world. Pope Benedict has said on many occasions that a world without God is a world without hope; it's a world without a future."

Wenski noted the frustration often expressed by Cuba's young people, and said the pople would not only be "inviting people to open themselves up to God and to the value faith can bring" but also "inviting people to rediscover a future by rediscovering hope."

While the visit is a spiritual event, Wenski said it - like John Paul's trip to Cuba - could have broader implications for Cuban society.

Wenski and Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega have used the phrase "a springtime of faith" that echoes the phrase "Arab spring," a term used to describe the pro-democracy uprisings sweeping the Arab world.

"When the cardinal talks about a springtime of faith, was that an accidental choice of words?" Wenski asked during a visit to The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald.

In any future political transition in Cuba, he said, "what we should all be looking for is a soft landing ... not chaos."

In the early days of the Cuban revolution, the Catholic Church was marginalized, Catholic schools were closed, priests and nuns sent into exile and the open practice of the faith was discouraged.

But in recent years, the Catholic Church has gained space in Cuban society. In 2010 and 2011, Ortega was a key figure in negotiating the release of political prisoners with President Raul Castro, and last month, as a humanitarian gesture, Castro released 2,900 inmates, including a small number of political prisoners, from Cuban jails.

Asked if the recent release was linked to the pope's upcoming visit, Wenski said he had no direct knowledge that it was, but added, "There could be some connection to it. The fact they were released in time for Christmas probably says something." It also, he said, could be a response to serious prison crowding.

For more than a year, "La Mambisa," a replica of the statue of Our Lady of Charity that three Cuban fishermen found floating in the Bay of Nipe in 1612, has toured the island in processions leading up to the 400th anniversary year than began Saturday. The statue has drawn large crowds and the response has been interpreted as a spiritual revival.

On its website, the Miami Archdiocese also noted that when the image of the virgin was honored at a cultural event last week at the Plaza of the Cathedral, a number of high-level Cuban officials, including Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, city historian Eusebio Leal, and Caridad Diego, head of the Religious Affairs Bureau of the Communist Party Central Committee, were present. During his visit, the pope will be received by Raul Castro.

Because so many Catholics in South Florida have roots in Cuba, Wenski said the Archdiocese of Miami is "almost like another archdiocese of Cuba" and he expects "several hundred" pilgrims from South Florida to support and participate in the pope's visit. The archdiocese is in the process of organizing the pilgrimage and expects to release details on how local Catholics can take part in the next seven to 10 days.

Juan Dominguez, rector of Ermita de la Caridad, the Our Lady of Charity shrine in Coconut Grove, Fla., said that in recent weeks many parishioners have come to the sanctuary with questions about the trip to Cuba.

"The archdiocese is responding to the desire of many Catholics," Rumin said. "In this year of Jubilee, the official slogan has been "Charity unites us."

(El Nuevo Herald staff writer Daniel Shoer Roth contributed to this report.)

***************************************************************************

I see the word "reconcilation" thrown around frequently, what about the word "FREEDOM?"

CUBA:BRUTAL REPRESSION OPENS THE YEAR 2012

2012-01-10T05:42:00.001-08:00

BRUTAL REPRESSION OPENS THE YEAR 2012

Political arrests increased threefold in 2011

The independent news agency Centro de Informacion Hablemos Press in Cuba documented 3,835 political arrests in its 2011 report on human rights violations in the island: http://www.cihpress.com/2012/01/informe-mensual-de-violaciones-de-los.html.

The Lady in White, Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montejo, and a Cuban woman, Isabel Haydee Alvarez remain confined in maximum security prisons without formal charges. All three were violently arrested on November 30, 2011, following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in central Havana.

The Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista denounced from her hometown in Holguin in Eastern Cuba, that the pardons of more than 2,900 Cuban prisoners announced by Raul Castro are a “farce and a manipulation of the regime“, “Those who have been released are highly dangerous inmates, they are people who have murdered, raped; who are truly delinquent, and who will be used to repress the dissidents.” Caballero Batista received phone calls from countless prisons in Cuba from political prisoners who wanted to denounce their cases, many who have already served their unjust sentences. Of those 2,900 who were supposedly released, there are, at least, five political prisoners, according to Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz, of the Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional (CCDHRN) in Havana.

Berta Soler, leader of the “Ladies in White Laura Pollan” denounced an increase in the regime’s violent methods of intimidation and harrassment against members of this peaceful femenine human rights movement throughout the island.

Below are some of the human rights violations reported from the island since January 1, 2012.
JANUARY 1, 2012 – In the city of Santa Clara (central Cuba), The Rosa Parks Movement alongside members of the Central Opposition Coalition were victims of the cruel and brutal aggression of the political police, as well as of members of the Rapid Response Brigade and the Communist Party when they tried to carry out a peaceful march “for the freedom of Cuba, against impunity, and in support and solidarity with Ivonne Malleza Galano.” The activists were taken away and arrested with brutal force from the home of Idania Yanes Contreras, president of the Central Opposition Coalition. Frank Reyes Lopez, who was filming the attack, fractured his right arm after he was thrown off from the roof by State Security agents. Maria del Carmen Martinez also suffered a fracture in one of her arms, while Aramilda Contreras was victim of serious injuries. Robert Alcides Rivera Yanez, the son of Yanez Contreras and a minor, was also beaten and shoved by police officials and suffered injuries and bruises all over his small body. Several neighbors intervened and managed to shelter the child from the police. The activists who were subjected to short term detentions and suffered physical as well as verbal attacks were: Ydania Llanes Contreras Damaris Moya, Maria del Carmen Martinez Lopez, Ana Iris Burune Rivera, Yanoisi Contreras Aguilar, Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Frank Reyes López, Jorge Luis García Pérez ‘Antúnez’, Natividad Blanco Carrero, Aramilda Contreras Rodríguez and Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera. While in their cells, the guards screamed obscenities at the women and threatened to rape them. According to Yanes Contreras, the guards were “raffling” off the women amongst themselves to see which one they would rape. Damaris Moya denounced that her 13 month old son was desperately screaming in the arms of his grandmother while agents were applying martial arts immobilization locks on her. She was dragged into a patrol car and taken to a detention center. Her husband Yanoisi’s face is swollen because of the beating and choking. Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez was savagely and repeatedly punched by agents in the patrol car during the ride to the police station in Santa Clara while the agents forced him to cry out “Viva Fidel”. Antunez has numerous swellings on his head and is suffering from dizziness and loss of vision in his left eye. All the activists vowed to continue with their public peaceful marches in 2012, a year they consider important for the Cuban Resistance Movement.

JANUARY 4, 2012 – Act of repudiation in Camaguey against the home of activist Virgilio Mantilla Arango from 3 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to prevent a group of activists from meeting in a public park in the city of Camaguey. Among the activists who were arrested were: Elizardo Reyes Jimenez, Jorge Luis Suarez Varona, Virgilio Mantilla Arango, and Alexis Sabatelo of the Unidad Camagueyana por los Derechos Humanos. They were all taken to the Center of Criminal Investigation and confined in cells. They were all interrogated and threatened not to continue with their public independent acts.

JANUARY 5, 2012 –In Havana, Independent journalist, Dania Virgen Garcia, Lady in White, Belkis Felicia Jorrin, and human rights defender Yosvani Martinez Lemus (beaten) were subjected to short term detentions. The home of Lady in White, Caridad Burunate, in the city of Colon, (Matanzas province) was victim of an act of repudiation.

JANUARY 6, 2012 – According to independent journalist, Luis Felipe Rojas, the Lady in White, Isabel Peña was attacked by a government thug in Guantanamo (eastern Cuba). In Havana, the political police surrounded the home of Lady in White, Anisley Pavon in the suburb of Marianao. Paramilitary forces of more than 100 agents attacked the home of Maritza Castro in the Havana district of El Cerro with stones, sticks, and bottles. Maritza Castro has been carrying out a hunger strike for almost a month, demanding the freedom of Ivonne Malleza, Ignacio Martinez, and Isabel H. Alvarez. Maritza is a neighbor of Ivonne Malleza and her husband Ignacio.

JANUARY 7, 2012 – Hot tar was thrown against the front of the home of Lady in White, Gertrudis Ojeda in Banes (eastern Cuba) because she displayed anti-government signs in her home. The tar’s pungent odor is affecting one of her sons who is seriously affected with asthma. According to the independent journalist, Roberto de Jesus Guerra, Ojeda was beaten and dragged by the paramilitary forces that invaded her home.

JANUARY 8, 2012 – The activist Prudencio Villalon Rades of the Union Patriotica de Cuba (UMPACU) denounced that Ladies in White, Annis Sarrion, Milagros Leiva, Maritza Cardosa, Osmeilis Jimenez, as well as her daughter Arianis Gainza Jimenez (12 years old) were all aggressively attacked by a member of the Communist Party and paramilitary forces in Municipio Mella, (eastern Cuba). Also, the Lady in White, Caridad Caballero Batista and her husband, Esteban Sade were arrested as they were entering the Church Pueblo Nuevo in Holguin (eastern Cuba). In Cacocun, Holguin, the Lady in White, Berta Guerrero and her husband, Franklin Pellegrino del Toro were arrested with violence to prevent their assistance to Mass.

The independent journalist, Jose Lino Asencio reported that In central Cuba, the house of Lady in White, Yasmin Conyedo Riveron, located at calle Trista 374 entre San Pedro y Virtudes, in the city of Santa Clara, was attacked by a pro government mob brought in a bus by State Securiy forces.

In Pedro Betancourt, a town in the province of Matanzas, the independent activist Oscar Sanchez Madan was violently arrested alongside Juan Francisco Sigler Amaya and other human rights defenders, members of the Independent Movement Alternative Option, who were on their way to the cemetery to honor the Lady in White, Gloria Amaya, an activist and mother of three ex political prisoners of conscience.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in the cases of Ivonne Mayeza, her husband Ignacio Martinez Montero and Isabel H. Alvarez. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867 /

José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267

Pope Benedict XVI: itinerary for Cuba, 2012

2012-01-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

Press release of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba with regard to the visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI, having been invited by Cuba’s President Raúl Castro and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, has approved the program prepared by organizers of the Papal trip together with Cuban authorities and Catholic Bishops' Conference of Cuba. The program, from March 26th – 28th, 2012, has been fixed as follows:

On March 26th, the Holy Father will travel from Mexico to the City of Santiago de Cuba, where he will be officially received by President Raul Castro, by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba and by the Archbishop of Santiago, Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez. Following the official welcome, in the early hours of the afternoon, the Holy Father will be taken to the residence of Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba.

At sunset, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in Antonio Maceo Revolution Square to mark the Solemnity of the Annunciation. At the conclusion of Mass the Holy Father will head to El Cobre where you will stay in residence for priests.

On the morning of March 27th, the Pope shall make a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity to pray for a few minutes before the much-venerated image of the Virgin there. After this, the Pope will go to the airport from Santiago de Cuba to Havana.

At noon the Pope is scheduled to arrive at the José Martí airport in Havana, where he will be welcomed by Havana’s Archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, by the auxiliary bishops and other religious and civil authorities. The Pope’s conveyance will then proceed to the Vatican embassy where he will stay. In the afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI will visit President Raul Castro for an official meeting. At dusk, the Holy Father will meet in the Nunciature with all the Catholic Bishops of Cuba.

On the morning of March 28th, Pope Benedict XVI will preside at Mass in José Martí Revolution Square. After the celebration, the Pope will return to the Apostolic Nunciature. He will leave from there in the afternoon for José Martì airport where there will be an official farewell ceremony ahead of his departure.

Ros-Lehtinen Concerned about Smithsonian-Sponsored Trips to Cuba

2012-01-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

NEWS

House Foreign Affairs Committee

U.S. House of Representatives

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman

CONTACT: Brad Goehner and Andeliz Castillo, (202) 225-5021

Alex Cruz (South Florida press), (202) 225-8200

http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/

For IMMEDIATE Release – January 3, 2012

Ros-Lehtinen Concerned about Smithsonian-Sponsored Trips to Cuba

Says these trips provide the Havana tyranny a sense of legitimacy

WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement on the Smithsonian Institution’s, a taxpayer-funded entity, upcoming trips to Cuba under a so-called People-to-People Cultural Exchange Program:

“The Smithsonian’s 10-day trips to Cuba will amount to little more than a tropical vacation. Americans participating in these trips will not see the brutal reality of the Castro dictatorship. They will not be visiting run down hospitals where sick Cubans have to bring their own bed sheets and medications, nor will they have the opportunity to sit in a court room where peaceful pro-democracy advocates are sentenced because due process and a real judicial system are non-existent.

“The nature of the Smithsonian’s upcoming trips to Cuba becomes clear merely by looking at the ad promoting it. The ad fails to mention that Cuba is a state-sponsor of terrorism or that Castro’s thugs repeatedly and routinely beat and harass the innocent Ladies in White while they peacefully march down a street. It does not mention that an American citizen is being held hostage by the regime simply for seeking to lift the veil of censorship that the dictatorship imposes on the Cuban people.

“Americans will not be able to interact with a typical Cuban family as they conduct their daily desperate search for food, stop by a dormant newspaper’s office that no longer operates because there is no freedom of the press, or visit the ever-growing prisons where countless political prisoners languish in their cells for exercising freedom of expression. These are the real cultural experiences in Cuba. Instead, these tourists will experience a false depiction of Cuba through a biased and censored ‘tour’ of the island.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Smithsonian Institute, primarily funded by American taxpayers, is facilitating access to U.S. dollars, which enables the Castro regime to make a hefty profit. The trips not only illustrate a blatant disregard for human rights conditions on the island by an entity that receives U.S. government funding, but provide the deplorable Havana tyranny a sense of legitimacy.”

El rumor de la muerte de Fidel Castro revoluciona Twitter

2012-01-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

For the 1,000,000th time, rumors are that the dictator died on Jan1. Do I believe it....NO! The rumors have been swirling on twitter.

Represion Brutal en Perico Matanzas Cuba

2012-01-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

Many Cubans unhappy with pace of change

2012-01-04T04:33:00.000-08:00

"Pope Benedict XVI to visit Cuba March 26-28"

2012-01-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI scheduled to visit Cuba on March 26-28, 21012. Click here for the story.

“Myanmar, la lección asiática”

2012-01-02T04:11:00.000-08:00

Dr. Darsi Ferrer

La Habana, Cuba. 26 de diciembre de 2011.

Si hace solo unos meses tomó por sorpresa a la comunidad internacional los estallidos sociales en los atrasados pueblos árabes del Medio Oriente, que dieron por resultado el derrocamiento de algunas dictaduras y las sacudidas de otras que tratan de perpetuarse adoptando reformas democráticas, igual de insólita resulta la deriva en Myanmar, donde la junta militar se ha llamado a capítulo y lidera un inesperado proceso de desmonte voluntario del sanguinario régimen mediante la aplicación de medidas liberalizadoras.

En el país asiático la junta militar gobernante traspasó el poder a un grupo de civiles, hecho que constituye una novedad de inusual racionalidad entre las viejas dictaduras que se resisten a los cambios impuestos por los nuevos tiempos. Y aunque el estrenado gobierno de transición cuenta con la inquietante presencia de antiguos altos oficiales del ejército, ligados al despotismo y a la recurrente historia de maltratos e injusticias cometidas en esa nación desde el golpe de Estado en 1962, sus actuales reformas liberadoras son un verdadero estímulo para la esperanza de una evolución pacífica hacia la democracia y el Estado de Derecho. Se trata, pues, de un paso pequeño de gigante influencia.

La libertad de prensa y acceso a Internet han sido permitidos en gran medida, así como el derecho de huelga y el fin del monopartidismo encabezado por el siniestro grupo castrense, aupados alrededor del Consejo de Estado Para la Paz y el Desarrollo. Y aunque en un principio habían prohibido que participaran como candidatos a las elecciones más de mil líderes y figuras prominentes de la otrora ilegalizada Liga Nacional para la Democracia, pronto esa proscripción cesó legalmente.

La figura más destacada de la oposición, la Premio Nobel Aung San Suu Kyi, a la que negaron una victoria aplastante en los comicios pluripartidistas de 1990, castigándola con el encierro y estrecha vigilancia, ahora goza de plena libertad para competir por la presidencia de la nación. Ella representa el más preciado valor de honestidad y entereza moral para la actual Birmania que el mundo progresista desea ver en funciones. Sus credenciales de líder natural quedaron ratificadas con la reciente visita de la Secretaria de Estado norteamericana, Hillary Clinton. El encuentro personal de la alta funcionaria con la líder opositora fue cálido y muy estimulante para el futuro desarrollo del proceso democrático aún en ciernes.

Sin embargo, la situación de Myanmar es grave. El proyecto de transición llega rodeado de múltiples y peligrosos escollos. Por años la prolongada y brutal dictadura militar causó abusos y violaciones sistemáticas de los derechos humanos. Los militares son responsables de atropellos y asesinatos de poblaciones enteras, y no sólo de la mayoría birmana. El ejército llevó a cabo asaltos y violaciones de mujeres y niñas de minorías étnicas, como los Shan y Karen, obligándolas al cautiverio. Esas crueldades provocaron respuestas armadas de diversas guerrillas y, en la actualidad, se reportan graves enfrentamientos militares. Como consecuencia natural de este estado de desorden, también surgió un creciente tráfico de drogas por las tierras altas del norte del país, situación que genera guerras de pandillas y agrava la corrupción de funcionarios y poderes públicos.

Además, aún está fresca en la memoria de ese pueblo la violenta represión del gobierno militar en el 2008. Ocasión en la que miles de sacerdotes budistas salieron a las calles a protestar pacíficamente en apoyo de las manifestaciones populares por la falta de democracia y fueron perseguidos, apaleados y encerrados en prisiones. No pocos terminaron torturados y asesinados, y sus cadáveres arrojados en medio de la vía pública como escarmiento.

Las bases de brutalidad, desorden, guerra y violación de derechos es una herencia onerosa que recibe la incipiente y débil sociedad civil birmana. El reto aumenta en la delicada transición cuando los militares constituyen la misma fuerza elitista que formó parte importante de una tradición de golpes de Estado desde el mismo origen comunista de esa nación asiática, apenas liberada del colonialismo británico. El modelo totalitario salido de ese proceso de incivilización fue uno de los pupilos preferidos de China, el que quedó integrado a su esquema de “área de influencia” de la Guerra Fría en la península indochina.

No obstante, al vetusto proyecto de política exterior china le ha caído carcoma. Su fragilidad es evidente frente al cambio de la estructura geopolítica, y sobre todo social, en el mundo. Se puede afirmar que buena parte del cambio de rumbo de última hora del generalato birmano parte de una ágil reacción ante los inesperados sucesos y evolución de los autoritarismos tradicionales de la zona de Medio Oriente y el Norte de África. Con buen tino, los castrenses tragan el buche amargo que les empuja la historia de la nueva época globalizada. A causa de fuerzas imprevisibles que irrumpen en el presente, despotismos asentados por décadas tienen un final brusco e inadvertido, gracias a algo que apenas hace una década parecía remitirse a un pueril y despreciable manejo de artefactos electrónicos.

Los mandarines chinos son los más sorprendidos con esa reacción de sometimiento de su pupilo a la cruda realidad contemporánea, dejándolos en la estacada. Más no sólo a los generales birmanos persiste en aparecerse el cadáver macerado del dictador Muanmar el Gadafi. De repente, los mandamases del Partido Comunista chino encuentran una acelerada y espontánea redistribución del orden mundial donde empieza a primar el orden civil, la desideologización y las libertades públicas. Perspectivas en las que pierde asidero el modelo imperial por el que apostaron para su permanencia infinita en el poder, y base de su proyecto hegemónico de futura primera potencia global. La buena noticia para el pueblo chino es que su país no está exento de esos cambios, pese a las maniobras que pueda emprender la élite gobernante.

Myanmar inicia hoy un duro camino para intentar la reconciliación nacional, el regreso de los militares a los cuarteles, y dar los primeros frágiles pasos hacia una democracia, el respeto de los derechos de los ciudadanos y el fomento libre de la economía de un pueblo trabajador y con una gran tradición histórica y cultural.

Al otro lado del mundo, los ancianos cabecillas de la también anquilosada dictadura militar de los Castro deberían tomar ejemplo de la prudencia emprendida por sus colegas asiáticos. En el actual contexto político los cambios no pueden limitarse a meras medidas cosméticas, sino de peso, tal como asumen en estos momentos los gobernantes birmanos. El proceso mundial de la Globalización es imparable y las señales de sus cambios de mentalidad y estructuras comienzan a aparecer también en la isla del Caribe, sin esperar lentas autorizaciones burocráticas o dubitaciones de ancianos con ínfulas dinásticas para sus retoños. El tiempo pasa y la nación que no reciba su libertad de manera civilizada, firme y segura, la conquistará de otras maneras.

"Nothing changes on New Year's day"

2012-01-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

53 years and NOTHING changes for Cuba on New Year's day! 53 years of the castro clan in power and NO INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION? No matter how you slice it up, it's a dictatorship!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T12:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!!

I want to wish the best to all my family and friends. May God Bless you, bring you joy and happiness, and for a great 2012. Now, one final thing, as midnight strikes and we eat the twelve grapes, I will take the bucket of water and throw it out the front door and one final wish......

A Cuba Libre in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Pictures of Jailed American in Cuba/Primeras imágenes de Alan Gross desde su encarcelamiento en Cuba

2011-12-29T07:13:00.000-08:00

Protesta en Mayabeque

2011-12-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

CUBANO BALSERO DESAPARECIDO

2011-12-29T05:10:00.000-08:00

CUBANO BALSERO DESAPARECIDO

JESUS DE LA CARIDAD NEIDA

DE LUYANO, LA HABANA CUBA

SALIO EN BALSA POR LA PLAYA DE COJIMAR

EN COMPAÑÍA DE ONCE PERSONAS, EL 14 DE OCTUBRE DEL 2011

SI UD. TIENE ALGUNA INFORMACION QUE PUEDA AYUDAR A LOCALIZARLO

COMUNIQUESE CON LAS SIGUIENTES PERSONAS:

OSCAR NEIDA (HERMANO) 786-229-7463

MANOLO NEIDAD (HERMANO) 323-944-8917

R. YOEL BORGES (JPC) jpcryb@aol.com

POR FAVOR DISTRIBUYA ESTE MENSAJE

ENTRE SUS CONTACTOS

Cuban Dictatorship will release 2,900 prisoners

2011-12-24T07:43:00.001-08:00

but....but....the last 52 years the Cuban dictatorship has been saying that they "NEVER" ever have executed or imprisoned anybody for political purposes.

....and the grinch will not release Alan Gross.

Mensaje de Navidad del Obispo de Baracoa-Guantánamo

2011-12-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

Mensaje de monseñor Wilfredo Pino Estévez, Obispo de la Iglesia Católica de Guantánamo-Baracoa, con motivo de la navidad y año nuevo 2012

Queridos hijos de esta amada Diócesis de Guantánamo-Baracoa: Agradezco la oportunidad de poder hablarles por la radio: mañana es Nochebuena y pasado Navidad. Y estamos a punto de comenzar un nuevo año.
Desde have varias semanas, los arbolitos de Navidad con sus luces intermitentes, adornan algunas tiendas en no pocos de nuestros hogares. Lástima que, en muchos sigue faltando lo principal, el protagonista de esta historia: la imagen del pequeño Niño Jesús. Porque la Navidad es la fiesta que nos recuerda el nacimiento de Jesucristo, have más de dos mil años, en un pequeño pueblo que todavía hoy se llama Belén. Acontecimiento que dividió la historia del hombre en “antes de Cristo” y “después de Cristo”, y que también ha cambiado la vida de muchos hombres y mujeres que ahora hablan de lo que eran ellos antes de conocerlo y de lo que son ahora.

Esta Navidad es la 2011 de la historia. Ningún otro acontecimiento se ha celebrado tantas veces sin que aburra. Muchas familias cubanas, incluso en años que era un día laborable, supieron mantener esta tradición. En estos días navideños todos nos deseamos felicidades, tratamos de visitarnos, de reunirnos “en casa de los viejos”, de tener una comida juntos, de preparar los pequeños regalos de los niños para el 6 de enero, Fiesta de los Reyes Magos. También son días especiales para perdonarnos, para reconciliarnos, para volvernos a hablar si es que estábamos peleados…

Después de la Navidad celebraremos la fiesta de Año Nuevo y la Iglesia nos invitará a rezar por la paz. En Cuba, gracias a Dios, no hay un conflicto bélico, pero no podemos ocultar que las noticias sobre actos violentos llegan con cierta frecuencia a cada pueblo cubano. ¡Cuántas familias nuestras viven en una constante guerra! ¡En cuántos de nuestros hogares el amor se ha enfriado y han surgido el maltrato, las malas palabras, los golpes…! Por eso tenemos que rezarle al Niño de la Nochebuena. Él viene desarmado. No amenaza. No usa la fuerza. No se impone, se ofrece. Él es el Príncipe de la Paz. Recemos para que se haga realidad en nuestras casas el canto que se escuchó en Belén, en la primera Nochebuena de la historia: “Gloria a Dios en el cielo y en la tierra paz a los hombres que ama el Señor” (Lc. 2, 14).

Con la llegada del año, viene a nuestra memoria el refrán que todo cubano ha dicho u oído alguna vez: “Año nuevo, vida nueva”. Hay en esta afirmación un vivo retrato del deseo que tenemos de empezar bien el año, de ordenar la casa y las cosas de nuestra vida, de no repetir errores. ¡Ojalá que en el 2012, si no lo hemos hecho ya, le abramos de par en par las puertas de nuestro corazón a Jesucristo! ¡Ojalá que comencemos este nuevo año perdonando de corazón al familiar, al vecino, al compañero de trabajo o de estudio que nos ofendió! ¡Ojalá que sepamos multiplicar iniciativas para reunir en estos días a nuestros familiares alrededor de una misma mesa o juntos en una iglesia o casa de misión! ¡Ojalá que en estos días valoremos más nuestros apellidos que nos recuerdan a qué familia pertenecemos y a qué familiares debemos proteger! ¡Ojalá que de manera especial tengamos un gesto para con las personas conocidas que viven solas y no tienen a nadie con quien compartir y los invitemos a comer o salir con nosotros! ¡Que sepamos tener “un cariñito” en estos días para con los más ancianos, los presos y los enfermos sin familia!

Ojalá que el 2012 sea realmente un año nuevo que deje atrás todo lo viejo, todo lo malo. Hay cubanos que, en la noche del 31 de diciembre, botan un poco de agua a la calle deseando que se vaya lo malo de la casa, de la familia… Nosotros, los cristianos, sin botar el agua, podríamos tener el mismo deseo y convertirlo en una oración confiada a nuestro Dios que podría ser ésta:

“Ayúdanos, Señor, a sacar de nuestras casas, o mejor de nuestras vidas, el egoísmo que nos paraliza y los miedos que nos impiden cambiar lo que tengamos que cambiar en cada uno de nosotros y a nuestro alrededor. Ayúdanos para que sepamos eliminar de nuestras vidas el lenguaje duro y sin misericordia que usamos contra los demás. Danos un corazón generoso que no se canse de perdonar a quienes nos ofendan. Saca, Señor, de nuestros hogares toda discordia y todo maltrato. Ayúdanos a borrar definitivamente de nuestra vida familiar el divorcio, los abortos, el adulterio, los celos, los malos ejemplos y, sobre todo, la vida sin Dios”

En estos días especiales, debemos rezar, una vez más, por toda Cuba y los cubanos. El beato Papa Juan Pablo II cuando nos visitó en 1998 pidió “que Cuba se abra al mundo y el mundo se abra a Cuba”. Debemos insistir aún más en ello. Hoy, 13 años después, también sería necesario que los cubanos aprendiéramos a abrirnos más a los otros cubanos. Que sepamos aceptar a los cubanos que piensen de manera diferente a nosotros. Que veamos en el diálogo honesto y sincero un camino ideal para encontrar soluciones a nuestros problemas internos. Que cada cubano no piense tanto en “sus problemas” sino en los problemas del país que tenemos la obligación de solucionar.

Para todo ello, mucho nos ayudará el vivir la virtud de la esperanza. Ella inspirará nuestros actos, los purificará, los ordenará hacia la construcción de una Cuba nueva. La esperanza nos protegerá del desaliento, nos sostendrá en el desfallecimiento y dilatará nuestros corazones en la espera de la felicidad eterna. Recordemos que la esperanza se sustenta en el Dios que nunca nos falla y que todo lo puede, en el Dios que nos manda a amar a los demás como él mismo nos amó (Jn. 15, 12).

Que nuestra esperanza esté puesta en Dios para poder al mirar al cielo más allá de las nubes que, a veces, nos ocultan el sol. Gracias a la esperanza avanza la humanidad. Gracias a la esperanza cada hombre encuentra respuesta ante la vida y la muerte, la salud y la enfermedad, el amor y la violencia. El símbolo de la esperanza es el ancla, o sea, lo que sostiene firme una nave en medio de la tormenta. La persona que vive con esperanza no está cruzada de brazos ni se sienta a ver qué pasa o qué regalo cae del cielo. La esperanza es activa. Pidamos a Dios que en cualquier situación difícil que se nos pudiera presentar en este nuevo año confiemos en las palabras de Jesucristo: “Yo estaré con ustedes todos los días” (Mt. 28, 20). Y que tampoco en medio de la adversidad se nos olvide la sabiduría popular escondida en la afirmación de nuestros abuelos: “Siempre que llueve, escampa”.

En los días de este nuevo año, cada cubano debe sentirse llamado por Dios al abrazo fraterno, a dar la mano, a crear puentes de amor, a abrir sus corazones al perdón y a la acogida olvidando ofensas, acallando rencores, “pasando páginas” y llamando hermano al otro para, juntos, construir una Cuba mejor.

Jesucristo nace para que tengamos vida y la tengamos en abundancia (Jn. 10, 10), para que seamos felices. Confiemos en El que sabe lo que necesitamos, que desea lo mejor para cada uno, y que no nos quiere ni desesperados ni angustiados sino felices, llenos de esa alegría que nace del verdadero amor y de la confianza en Dios, que procura y puede realizar lo mejor para los hombres.

No quiero terminar sin dar gracias a Dios, junto con ustedes, por la gran noticia que todos recibimos con alegría y emoción: que el Papa Benedicto XVI vendrá a Cuba, como un peregrino más, para hacer lo mismo que hacemos los cubanos cuando estamos delante de la bendita imagen de nuestra Patrona, la Virgen de la Caridad: agradecerle y pedirle su intercesión. ¡Qué emocionante será para nosotros poder ver al Santo Padre rezar de rodillas delante de la Madre de los cubanos y, tal vez, encenderle una velita como expresión de su cariño y su deseo de que ella siga velando por nuestra Patria cubana y llevándonos a los cubanos al encuentro con Jesucristo, su divino Hijo!

Queridos hijos e hijas: Este año 2012 promete ser lindo y conmemorativo y, por tanto, lleno de júbilo. Se celebrarán los 400 años del hallazgo, en la Bahía de Nipe, de la bendita imagen de la Virgen de la Caridad y su presencia entre nosotros. Todos estamos llamados, durante el año, a peregrinar a su Santuario del Cobre. Desde ahora, cada uno de ustedes debe sentirse invitado a ir por medios propios o en los viajes que se coordinarán en cada comunidad, para lo que deben conversar con los sacerdotes, monjas y diáconos que ustedes conozcan. El Santuario del Cobre, ya bellamente restaurado gracias, en parte, a la ayuda económica de ustedes, nos abrirá sus puertas, de manera especial para nuestra Diócesis de Guantánamo-Baracoa, durante todo el mes de mayo. Allí nos esperan y allí, con el favor de Dios, esperamos vernos.

Termino dándoles una bendición por la Navidad. Que ella vaya especialmente sobre los enfermos, los presos, los minusválidos, los que viven solos, los que están lejos de su familia y de su tierra cubana, los abuelitos de los Hogares de Ancianos, los que sufren, los que se sienten tristes, los que lamentan la muerte reciente de un ser querido, y los que han perdido la alegría que nace de la virtud de la esperanza. ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!

Y que la bendición de Dios todopoderoso: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo, descienda sobre todos y los acompañe hoy, mañana y cada día del próximo año. Amén.

Asked if he had any final words for the Cuban people, García-Margallo replied, “Wait.”

2011-12-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

Spain's Spain’s new Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo, when asked if he had any final words for the Cuban people....his response: "wait"

WAIT???????????????????? AFTER 52 YEARS OF A DICTATORSHIP........

Read the whole story here.

Libertad!

2011-12-21T05:50:00.000-08:00

From The Real Cuba:

Gorki Aguila and Porno Para Ricardo present: Concert from the balcony

Dec. 20 - Gorki Aguila and his punk rock band 'Porno para Ricardo,' are not allowed by the Castro regime to perform in public because of their anti-Castro themes.
Earlier this month, Gorki decided to give a concert from the balcony of his home to protest for not being allowed to perform in public.

Within minutes, several members of the infamous CDRs (Committees for the Defense of the Robolution) came out and soon after that the electricity to Gorki's home was cut.

Here is the video of everything that happened. The video is in Spanish and it contains some strong language. El vídeo es en español y contiene lenguaje fuerte.

Kim Jong Il dead

2011-12-19T06:46:00.001-08:00

Another dictator bites the dust.....let's see who is next?

PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADERS WARN OF A POSSIBLE WAVE OF REPRESSION AGAINST THE PEACEFUL RESISTANCE

2011-12-19T05:37:00.000-08:00

Two leaders in the peaceful Cuban resistance movement who were released on the week of December 12-18 after being subjected to violent arrests and inhumane prison conditions declared that the Cuban regime is intimidated by the rise and strength of the human rights groups in the island. Jose Daniel Ferrer García (released Dec.12), leader of the umbrella group UMPACU, (Cuban Patriotic Union) in Eastern Cuba, and Angel Moya Acosta (released Dec. 14) who resides in Havana and is the main coordinator of the National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! were both beaten and arrested on December 2, 2011 in the eastern town of Palma Soriano as they were setting out to march peacefully with 50 activists.

Both Ferrer García and Moya Acosta are ex-prisoners of conscience of the 2003 Cuban Black Spring who refused conditional freedom and exile to Spain and remained in Cuba after their release from prison in February (Moya Acosta) and April (Ferrer Garcia) of 2011.The National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! originally kicked off from the historical Eastern city of Baracoa on September 12, 2011, where activists faced the same brutal repression. The march recalls the time when Cuba’s struggle for Independence in 1895 was spread from East to West by the patriots Antonio Maceo and Maximo Gomez. The intention of this march today is to unite the peaceful resistance and its three objectives are that:

Ferrer Garcia says that the peaceful Cuban resistance is presently more organized and has gained visibility among the Cuban people, thus becoming a threat to a regime that is carefully planning ways to stop the activists in spite of the political cost. Moya Acosta stated that the political police is acting incoherently in the face of their peaceful actions and he doesn’t dismiss the possiblity of another wave of repression similar to the one in 2003.

Ferrer García vowed that, though they don’t have a date yet, the third attempt of the National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven! will go forward. He added that as long as there is no freedom, democracy or respect for human rights in Cuba, the peaceful resistance will continue to activate the march as many times as needed.

1. The Cuban regime respect, promote and publish the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as ratify the international agreements that promote these rights.

2. The repression against the opposition and the Cuban people stop.

3. All Cuban political prisoners are released unconditionally and that the legal framework that propitiates these imprisonments be revoked.

An important premise of this march is that the activists will never accept that their homes become “prisons”. When paramilitary officials surround these homes to prevent the activists from leaving and forcing them to be under house arrest, the activists will come out of their homes and continue carrying out their peaceful actions as planned.

On Sunday, December 18, in spite of the regime’s deployment of agents, a total of almost one hundred Ladies in White atended Mass and marched throughout Cuba in the cities of Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas and Havana.

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Angel Moya +5353820595 / Berta Soler +5352906820 / Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia +5353631267 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867

Ros-Lehtinen Condemns Cuban Regime's Wave of Arrests Leading Up To Commemoration Of International Human Rights Day

2011-12-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

For more information: December 12, 2011
Alex Cruz, 305-668-5994
Cellular 202-225-8200

Ros-Lehtinen Condemns Cuban Regime’s Wave of Arrests Leading Up To Commemoration
Of International Human Rights Day; Says That Aging Dictators In Havana Are As Ruthless
As Ever & That Responsible Nations Must Support The Cuban People’s Desire
For Liberty & Respect For Their Human Rights

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement after press reports and pro democracy entities inside Cuba estimated that over 200 dissidents have been summarily arrested by the Cuban dictatorship in the nine days that preceded the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day on Saturday, December 10.

Ros-Lehtinen’s statement:

“The Cuban tyranny is scared of the free will of the Cuban people and of their desire for liberty and respect of their human rights. It is unsurprising but still quite shocking that over 200 peaceful pro democracy activists have been summarily arrested by the Castro regime in the month of December leading up to the commemoration of the International Human Rights day this past Saturday December 10th.

These unwarranted arrests are all the more outrageous when we consider they are happening just 90 miles from the greatest defender of human rights the world has ever known, the United States of America.

The Obama Administration must come to the realization that diplomatic overtures and loosening of restrictions against the Castro brothers will not produce any of the results which freedom loving people want to see. These dictators, like others across the world, only respond to strong pressure, and they scoff at friendly entreaties that they simply use to buy time and continue oppressing.

The Cuban people are rising up against the aging dictators in Havana and responsible nations must support their desire for liberty and freedom.”

CONMEMORATIVE ACTS ON BEHALF OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY ARE VIOLENTLY REPRESSED BY THE CUBAN REGIME

2011-12-13T04:50:00.000-08:00

At least 300 arrests recorded for the current month of December

particular concern for the cases of Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Angel Moya, Ivonne Mayeza and Ignacio Martinez Montero

December 11, 2011

As peaceful human rights defenders in Cuba carried out marches, vigils, workshops and gatherings on the days prior and during Human Rights Day (December 10), the Cuban regime violated their rights of freedom of assembly, association, expression and of movement with threats, beatings, violent short term arrests, arbitrary imprisonments in undisclosed locations, interrogatories, mob attacks and acts of repudiation, as well as house arrests. These activists were also kidnapped by authorities and left abandoned in remote areas, miles away from their homes.

Among the human rights defenders who were subjected to inhumane and cruel treatment and short term detentions throughout Cuba during the week of December 5-12, 2011 are:

PINAR DEL RIO – Luis Enrique Monterrey Ramos, Yoangel Palacios Hernández, Víctor Rodríguez Morejón, Yazle Reinoso Ramos.

HAVANA – Yaimi Alfonso Miret, wife of Eriberto Liranza Romero, representative of the National Civic Resistance Front Orlando Zapata Tamayo in the western region of Cuba was violently arrested in front of his two children, Abraham Liranza Alfonso, 9 years old, and Lauri Liranza Alfonso, 6 years old. His whereabouts are presently unknown

Since Monday, December 5, a wave of repression began against members of the movement Ladies in White Laura Pollan to prevent them from gathering at their headquarters in Neptuno Street #963 in Havana on Human Rights Day. Many of the women were held under house arrest as their homes were surrounded by paramilary groups in their hometowns. Others were violently arrested and taken to police units, while others were blocked from going any further when they reached Neptuno Street. Those who were held under house arrest in their hometowns were: Daima Lamas, Nilda Leiva González, Sonia Martín, Aimé Cabrales, Linda Taguolla, Carina Quintana, Yurenis González, Oria Josefa Casanova, Tania Bandera, Mayelin de la O, Yarisbel Figueredo y Belkis Cantillo Ramírez. The following women were blocked from going on to Neptuno Street: Tania Maceda, Mari Blanca Ávila Esposito, Yadira Rodríguez, Liliam Estévez Romero, Niurkis Rivero, Blanca Hernández, Mirta Gómez, Leonor Reinot, Belkis Núñez y Magalys Norbis Otero. Members of the Ladies in White who were taken to State Security and Police Units were: Marlenis Guerra Martínez, Bárbara Teresa Romero Mendoza, Katiuska Rodríguez Rives, Yusladis Jorge la Guardia, Mildret Noemí Sánchez Infante, Anni Sarrión Romero, Adis Nidia Cruz, Yanelis Elegica Despaigne, Liudmila Rodríguez Palomo, Yaquelán García Jans, Lázara Mijan, Niurks Luke, Florencia Machado, Ana Luisa Rubio, Lourdes Esquivel Vieyto, Sulema Lay, Violeta Rojas Aullan, Sandra Guerra, Ana Rosa Ledea, Reida Villate, Mercedes Fresneda, Yaquelin Boris, Yanelis Cabrera, Laura Capote, Lidia Castañeda, Dania Virgen García, Tatiana López. Most of these women have been released.

On December 10th, twenty eight members of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan, who were gathered to remember Human Rights Day in their headquarters at Neptuno Street were subjected to hours of an “act of repudiation” led by a pro-government mob of 300 people whot kept calling them “witches” and “mercenaries”. On Sunday, December 11th, after 57 ladies attended Mass at the Church of Santa Rita, the women were intercepted on 5th Avenue as they were marching peacefully with gladioli in their hands. A screaming pro government crowd insulted and physically mistreated the ladies who were dragged and forced onto buses. As some were taken to undisclosed locations, those from other provinces were returned to their hometowns. Berta Soler, leader of the group was taken in a patrol car alone, back to her home in Alamar. Rosario Morales and Sara Martha Fonseca were taken to police units.

On December 9, ex political prisoner of conscience of the “Group of the75”, Arnaldo Ramos Lauzurique was blocked from entering the home of another expolitical prisoner of conscience, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello. He was then taken away by State Security agents, as was Dr. Darsi Ferrer and his wife Yusnaimy Soca and the musician, Ciro Díaz.. Lilvio Fernández Luis and Reinier Vera were beaten and arrested on the same day and so was Sandra Guerra in Melena del Sur.

On December 10, the following activists were arrested: Yoel L. Carbonell Guilar, Aurelio Antonio González Ayala, the independent journalist, David Aguila, and Manuel Cuesta Morúa.

A crew of journalists from the press agency Asociated Press who were interviewing the few citizens along the Malecón on December, was roughed up on December 9 by plainclothes agents who were posted along this seaside wall in Havana to prevent any gatherings in this area.

MATANZAS – Félix Navarro and Iván Hernández Carrillo, both ex political prisoners of conscience of the “Group of the 75”. Also, Emilio Bringas, Félix Pérez Palenzuela, Eduardo Marcos Pacheco Ortiz, Francisco Rangel Manzano, Adrian Pérez Mendoza. Under house arrest: Merecedes de la Guardia Hernández, Eduardo Marcos Pacheco Ortiz, José Antonio del Cueto Carreño. Hiding out because her house was surrounded by paramilitary groups: Leticia Ramos Herrería.

VILLA CLARA (Central Cuba) Idania Yanes Contreras, president of the Coalición Central Opositora, reported that since December 7, many of the activists’s houses were surrounded and that more than 40 human rights defenders were arrested: Jorge Luis García Pérez Antúnez, Librado Linares García, Yris Pérez Aguilera, Yanisbel Valido Pérez, María del Carmen Martínez López, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Maribel Rodríguez Prieto, Yoel Fonseca Machado, Ordalidia González Barroso, Omar Núñez Espinosa, Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, Damaris Moya Portieles, Rodolfo Ernildo Pérez Benítez , Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Guillermo Fariñas Hernández, José Lino Asencio López, Félix Reyes Gutiérrez, Yasmín Conlledo Riverón, Yusmani Rafael Alvarez Esmoy, Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez, Roberto Zapata Blanco, Ana Rosa Alfonso Arteaga, Guillermo del Sol Pérez , Orlando Alfonso Martínez, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Gliceria Paseiro Espinosa, Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, , Michel Oliva Lopez, Alberto Reyes Morales, Ramón Arbolaez Abreu, Mayra Conlledo García, Nosbel Jomorca Benavides, Yosmel Pérez, Maidel González Almeida, Alexei Sotolongo Díaz, Miguel Alexei Fernández, Ezequiel Enrique López, Héctor Bermúdez Santana, Luis Manuel Ribalca, Martínez, Javier Delgado Torna, Ariel Orama Martín, Mario Abreu, José Rodríguez López, Sandal Reyes Machado, Aniceto Alvarez Miranda, Yoel Regino Díaz Martínez, Daniel de Armas Casanova, Adalberto Bravo del Sol, José Ramón Borges Serrano, Antonio Suárez Fonticella, Alexander Mesa Rodríguez, José Marino Andrade Treto, Leonardo Rodríguez Alonso, Magaly Broche de la Cruz, José Soto Roche, Jesús Reinaldo Rodríguez Peláez, Guillermo Sánchez Blas, Donaida Perez Paseiro and Gliceria Paseiro Espinosa. The activists belonged to the following human rights groups in Villa Clara: Coalición Central Opositora, Foro Antitotalitario Unido Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia, Frente Nacional de Resistencia Civica y Desobediencia Civil Orlando Zapata Tamayo and the Movimiento Cubano Reflexión.

Many of these arrests were very violent. Jorge Luis García Pérez Antúnez was punched and kicked on the ground before being forced on to a patrol car.

On December 9, in Camaguaní, Villa Clara the house of Librado Linares, an exprisoner of conscience of the “Group of the 75”, was surrounded and he was eventually arrested. Felix Reyes was also subjected to an arbitrary arrest in Villa Clara.

CAMAGUEY - The following activists were arrested on December 6 and taken to different police units when they were carrying out a silent peaceful march to remember human rights day: Yoan David González Milanés, Mauro Emilio Puig Arrondo, Juan Luis Pérez García, Verlay Bejerano Estrada, Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez, Pastor Guzmán Gutierrez Peláez, Rafael Infante González, René Fernández Quiroga and Dayan Mayor Betancourt. The last two were reported abandoned 30 kms away from their home were they were brutally beaten by agents.

LAS TUNAS – (Eastern Cuba) - Armando Peña Guzmán detained early December 10th.

HOLGUIN (Eastern Cuba) - The independent journalist José Ramón Pupo Nieves of the Holguin Press agency reported that at least 23 arrests took place on December 7, that included members of the human rights organizations: Impacto Juvenil Republicano, Prensa Joven, Partido Republicano de Cuba, and FLAMUR. Among those arrested were: Rosa María Naranjo Nieves, Lidia Hernández Pérez, Dionel Aguilera Naranjo, Maria Antonia Hidalgo Mir was threatened by the police.

Adisnidia Cruz and Marco Antonio Lima, parents of Marcos Maiquel and Antonio Michel Lima Cruz, two young activists serving prison sentences, were also arrested on December 7.

BAYAMO (Eastern Cuba) - On December 7, Yoandri Gutierrez and his family were subjected to an act of repudiation and were later arrested. Yaquelín García was subjected to a brutal beating and to short term detention.

GUANTANAMO (Eastern Cuba) – Rosaida Ramirez reported that the activists Rogelio Tabío, Roberto Carlos Corso and Yordis Sofia were beaten and detained.

MANZANILLO (Eastern Cuba) – Osvaldo Pérez Rojas arrested without information of his whereabouts on December 9.

The whereabouts of Cuban prisoners of conscience, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and Angel Moya of the “Group of the 75”, as well as of the human rights defender Jorge Cervantes are presently unknown to their families. These three activists were violently beaten on Friday, December 2nd as they were initiating the second stage of the National March for Freedom: Boitel Zapata Viven!, alongside 50 human rights defenders (released) in the Eastern City of Palma Soriano. The political police will not tell the wives of these activists where their husbands are being held prisoners nor their states of health.

After a week and a half without knowing her whereabouts, the Lady in White, Ivonne Mayeza was located at the “Centro de Procesamiento Penal” at Calabazar Avenue in Havana, where her husband, Ignacio Martinez Montero is also being held in critical health with a heart ailment. Mayeza carried out a hunger strike for about 10 days to protest her arrest. Both activists were violently detained following a peaceful protest in the Fraternidad Park in Havana where they displayed a white sheet that read: “Down with Hunger, Misery, and Poverty”.

As the year 2011 is coming to a close, the Coalition of Cuban-American Women alerts the international community that the lives of those members of Cuban civil society who are actively and publicly struggling on behalf of fundamental freedoms are in danger. We are particularly concerned in Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Angel Moya, Ivonne Mayeza and Ignacio Martinez Montero. International recognition of the peaceful resistance and solidarity for those human rights defenders is crucial. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-governmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Joseito76@aol.com / Laida A.Carro

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo + 5353790867

video de Flotilla Luces de la Libertad desde La Habana!!!! 9PM

2011-12-10T04:45:00.000-08:00

Flotilla!

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Flotilla en protesta por represión a Damas de Blanco y disidentes

2011-12-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

Today at 7:00am until Sunday at 11:00am..Where Estrecho de la Florida

Description FUENTE: http://www.facebook.com/notes/saul-sanchez/el-movimiento-democracia-ira-frente-a-cuba-a-protestar-abusos-contra-damas-de-bl/10150306491051751

Mis amigas y amigos, el Movimiento Democracia, al cual me honro en pertenecer, en protesta por los atropellos de los coba...rdes agentes del regimen cubano contra las mujeres indefensas de las Damas de Blanco y demas disidentes y miembros del pueblo que protestan los desmanes del gobierno, ha comenzado los preparativos para llevar a cabo una Flotilla u Operacion Maritima frente a las costas de Cuba el proximo dia 9 de diciembre, vispera del 10 de diciembre, dia de los derechos humanos, donde estaremos lanzando poderosas emisiones de fuegos artificiales y otras señales que pueden ser vistas en La habana, partes de Matanzas y de Pinar del Rio. Al unisono hemos hecho un llamado para realizar una protesta multitudinaria internacional en respaldo a las Damas de Blanco y demas luchadores en Cuba, y en denuncia de los atropellos del regimen. Por favor unete y ayudanos a luchar como te sea posible.

ACTUALIZACION PROGRAMA DE ACTIVIDADES:

Las actividades de la Jornada de Solidaridad y Protesta de tres dias son como siguen:

Viernes 9 de diciembre: Operacion Maritima (Un barco grande) o Flotilla Democracia (Varios barcos) partiran a las 7:00 de la mañana desde Conch Harbor Marina en Cayo Hueso para llegar frente a La Habana al caer la tarde.

Fuegos Artificiales – Al llegar la noche comenzaran tres horas de lanzamiento de poderosas emisiones de luz o fuegos artificiales directamente hacia el cielo que seran vistos desde las costas de La Habana, Pinar del Rio y Matanzas.

Toque de Cazuela 0 Caserolazo – Mientras tanto y coincidiendo con la presencia de la Flotilla u Operacion Maritima frente a Cuba, el Partido Por la Democracia Pedro Luis Boitel, el Partido Republicano de Cuba y otros en la Isla estaran participando en un toque de cazuela a las 8:00 de la noche a traves del pais.

Sabado 10 de diciembre: Una Flor o Prenda De Vestir Blanca en memoria de Laura Pollan – Se pide que todo el que pueda lleve consigo una flor o una prenda de vestir blanca el Sabado 10 de diciembre, Dia Internacional de los Derechos Humanos en memoria de Laura Pollan y apoyo a las Damas de Blanco.

Sabado 10 de diciembre: La oposicion interna realizara una serie de actividades a traves del pais para recordar el Dia Internacional de los Derechos Humanos. Barcos de Democracia regresan a Cayo Hueso, llegando a las 8:00 am aproximadamente a Conch Harbor Marina.

Domingo 11 de diciembre: Manifestacion de pueblo en la Calle Ocho y la Avenida 13 d el SW, en el Monumento a los Martires de Giron a las 11:00 de la mañana organizada por las organizaciones particiapantes.

La reunion con el Departamento de Estado ocurre a la luz de una fuerte amenaza contra la Flotilla Democracia y un virulento ataque personal contra su coordinador, Ramon Saul Sanchez, por parte de la Junta Militar de Cuba dirigida por los dos dictadores de Cuba, el General Raul Castro y el Comandante Fidel Castro.

Para mas informacion llamar a Ramon Saul Sanchez al 305-785-0669 o a Norman del Valle

al 305-595-9000 ó a Luis Felipe Rojas al 786-541-6213.

Los telefonos nuestros son 305-264-7200, 305-595-9000 y 786-229-9621.

Nota de la administración de "Por el levantamiento popular en Cuba":

Este evento es externo a nuestra iniciativa, solo le damos publicidad al mismo y salida entre nuestros 6400 seguidores, la hora de comienzo y final es meramente orientativa cualquier duda sobre este evento ponerse en contacto con los patrocinadores del mismo.

Dr. Darsi (Tradicional Marcha del 10 de diciembre)

2011-12-08T14:53:00.001-08:00

La Habana, Cuba. 8 de diciembre de 2011.

Como ya es tradicional desde el 2006, saldremos a conmemorar el Día Internacional de los Derechos Humanos, el 10 de diciembre, con una marcha en el parque Villalón del Vedado, sito en Calzada, entre D y E. La Marcha comienza a las 11:00 de la mañana, en silencio, sin carteles ni consignas. En las ocasiones anteriores las autoridades del régimen han apelado a la violencia mediante turbas agresivas que golpean a los participantes, además de los arrestos arbitrarios y las amenazas. Insistimos en esta acción por la necesidad que tenemos todos los cubanos de desmontar la violencia, el odio y la intolerancia que reina en la nación tras medio siglo de totalitarismo. Todos ansiamos paz, justicia, tolerancia y una convivencia civilizada, sostenida por el respeto a las libertades individuales y a los derechos inalienables, garantía de la dignidad de las personas.

"Church confirms pope to visit Cuba in spring"

2011-12-08T05:43:00.000-08:00

The Catholic Church confirms that the Pope will visit Cuba in the spring.

Todos pal' malecón

2011-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

El día 9 de diciembre de 2011, en aguas internacionales frente a la costa occidental de Cuba, se presentará una flotilla de embarcaciones y se tirarán fuegos artificales en protesta por la ola de represión contra las “Damas de Blanco” y la oposición interna en Cuba en más... de medio siglo de dictadura. Que mejor momento para exhortar a nuestro pueblo a que se reúna ese día desde las 4:30 pm frente al Malecón de la Habana, de Cienfuegos, de Baracoa, en La Alameda en Santiago de Cuba o en cualquier otro malecón o parque público de su localidad, preferiblemente frente a la estatua de un prócer cubano, para demostrarle a la dictadura dinástica militarista, nuestra desilusión, frustración y ansias de un mejor futuro para nuestro pueblo. Todos pal’ malecón, exijamos de forma no violenta: cambio de gobierno, libertad y la reinstauración de una república democrática. Posterior al 9 de diciembre, la actividad debe repetirse todos los domingos a las 4:30 pm hasta lograr los objetivos establecidos.

More than 150 violent arrests in Eastern Cuba

2011-12-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

CUBA

CUBAN REGIME UNLEASHES ACTS OF BRUTAL VIOLENCE AGAINST ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND ON THE EVE OF ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

More than 150 violent arrests in Eastern Cuba

December 4, 2011

During the week of November 28 – December 4, 2011, peaceful civic protests carried out in Havana and Eastern Cuba faced the brutal acts of violence of paramilitary government forces.

On Wednesday, November the 30th, three female human rights defenders, members of the group “Ladies in White’ were dragged, beaten and violently arrested in a crowded public park in Havana for displaying a white sheet that read: “Down with Hunger, Misery, and Poverty”, “Stop lying and deceiving the Cuban people”. Ivón Mayesa, Blanca Hernández (77 years old), and Mayra Morejón cried out Freedom! at the Fraternidad Park, before dozens of citizens. Some of the onlookers who tried to prevent the arrest of the three women were pepper-sprayed by the policemen. Mayesa’s husband, Ignacio Martínez Montejo, was also beaten and arrested and is detained at the Acosta Police Station in Havana. Hernandez and Morejon were released but the whereabouts of Ivon Mayesa are unknown to her family since her arrest.

Video sent from Cuba via internet of the protest and arrest at the Parque de La Fraternidad in Havana: http://hablalosinmiedo.blogspot.com/2011/12/videos-protesta-en-parque-de-la.html

The National March for Freedom, Boitel Zapata Viven!, a campaign intended to coordinate the peaceful prodemocracy groups throughout the island, with a peaceful march advancing from east to west to create conscience on behalf of human rights in the Cuban population, was thwarted again by a crackdown perpetrated by the combined forces of State Security and the National Revolutionary Police. The march, which faced violent repression when it was initiated in September 2011, kicked off once from the Eastern city of Guantanamo on Thursday, December 1st, where the regime parked buses to block the streets and megaphones played loud music and government propaganda. According to Rogelio Tabio, member of the Resistance and Democracy Movement, thirty four activists of numerous human rights groups were violently arrested in this city to prevent the freedom march. There were also arrests in Moa and Holguin. Activist, Franklin Pelegrino, his wife, and 3 year old daughter were beaten, and arrested in Holguin, and released on December 4th.

On the morning of December 2nd , forty nine human rights defenders came marching out of the house of Liudmila Rodriguez Palomo (arrested Dec. 1st along with Yuniesky Dominguez), located at: Calle Crombet #204, entre avenida Libertad y Remus, in Palma Soriano, in Santiago de Cuba province, carrying a Cuban flag, and chanting “Long live human rights!”. A double line of agents was stationed all around the house to prevent the neighbors from witnessing the violent beatings that were then carried out against the activists who were forced onto buses. Most had to receive medical assistance before being taken to prison units. There were activists that were unrecognizable because they had so much blood on their faces. Those neighbors who protested the ill treatment of the activists were pepper-sprayed by the police.

Thirty one of the 52 activists attacked in Palma Soriano remain under arrest. Two of the ones still in custody are Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, leader of the umbrella group in Eastern Cuba UMPACU ( Patriotic Union of Cuba), as well as the main coordinator of the march, Angel Moya Acosta. Both are ex-Cuban political prisoners of conscience of the “Group of the 75” released this year and who refused to be exiled in Spain as a condition for their release. Moya Acosta was one of the most brutally beaten on December 2nd because he would not stop crying out “Long live human rights!” as he was punched, kicked, and brutally beaten with tonfas (police batons).

The human rights group Directorio Democratico documented the following names of those activists arrested on December 2, 2011 in Eastern Cuba: José Daniel Ferrer García, Ángel Moya Acosta, Alexander Abdala Batista, Alexis Portales Arreaga, Luis Enrique Losada Irrizarra, Carlos Manuel Gallardo Mosqueda, Julio César Vega Santiesteban, Jorge Cervantes García, Seigler Bismark Peña Pérez, Eurbis Paredes Elías, Eliécer Covuquet Velázquez, Guillermo Cobas Reyes, Arcelio Marín Almeida, Prudencio Villar Herrera, Dany Lópe de Moya, Rubén Torres Sainz, José Amaury Avelenda Hierrezuelo, Abraham Cabrera Torres, Manuel Martínez Cabrera, Wildon Izaguirre Fuentes, Misael Valdés Díaz, Roberto de la Rosa Estrada, José Antonio Elégica Zulueta, Agustín Alonso Peña, José Batista Falcón, Roilan Ramírez Rodríguez, Alfredo Aníbal Bravo, Bismark Mustelier Galán, Miguel Rafael Cabrera Montoya, Rolando Humberto González Rodríguez, Emilio Guinza, Osmany Céspedes Nápoles, Rubén Andreus de Armas, Carlos Manuel Castellanos, Ángel Lino Isaac Luna, Víctor Campa Almenares, Pedro Campa Almenares, Ángel Luis Campa Almenares, Andrés García Almenares, Yosvani García, and Alexis Yanchoi Kuan Jerez,

On Saturday, December 3rd, in Eastern Cuba, the Ladies in White Belkis Cantillo, and Aimee Garcés Napoles, were arrested when they were on their way to find out in what police unit Cantillo’s husband, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, was being detained. Both women were released on Sunday, December 4.

Approximately seventeen Ladies in White and five activists who accompanied them were able hear Mass in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity in Santiago de Cuba on Sunday, December 4th, but around thirteen women were not able to reach the temple as they were intercepted in the highway by authorities and subjected to attacks by mobs made up of school children, people with sticks, and State Security agents.

Berta Soler, leader in Havana of the movement, Ladies in White Laura Pollan denounced that the members of the group are being intimidated and threatened with repression if they carry out any public acts prior to or on December 10 (Human Rights Day).

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women denounces the inhumane acts of torture and arbitrary detentions committed against Cuban human rights defenders. International recognition of the peaceful resistance movement in Cuba and solidarity for these activists is crucial on the sixty third anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 2011. We make an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-gonvernmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Joseito76@aol.com / Laida Carro

Further information in Cuba: Berta Soler +5352906820 / Belkis Cantillo - + 5353790867

No mini-me chavez.......ABAJO Fidel!

2011-12-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

The commies have gathered at the CELAC in Venezuela, discussing nonsense and formenting more revolutionary crap. If you can stomach the first video above in which mini-me goes on and on about his love for dictator fidel. Now in the second video we see raulita pausing and in the background you can hear the fireworks. Chavez proudly comments that those firework are for the celebration of the CELAC Cumbre.....well....not really....you see at 8:00 PM last night Venezuelans were banging pots and doing other acts of defiance against the government of Venezuela and those comemierdas attending the CELAC.

...so the fireworks were merely a tactic to drown out the noise from opposition

"EEUU, centro indiscutible de la economia global"

2011-12-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

Por Dr. Darsi Ferret

La Habana, Cuba. 30 de noviembre de 2011.

Cada vez es mayor el número de analistas internacionales que dan por sentado la inminente sustitución de Estados Unidos por China como nueva y pujante primera potencia mundial. Las bases para esa hipótesis la fundamentan en el crecimiento económico que por años ha formado parte de la China disfrazada de capitalista, que ya supera en sus exportaciones a gigantes como Japón y Alemania, así como por el creciente monto de dólares, títulos de deuda y bonos del Tesoro norteamericano que acaudala a manos llenas, entre otras razones.

Sin embargo, ¿realmente es esto un hecho incontrovertible? De cierto, otra buena parte de la opinión especializada sostiene lo contrario. Afirman que el modelo chino es una enorme burbuja económica cuya frágil base de sustentación está minada por significativas contradicciones sociales, políticas y económicas que representan un serio lastre para el futuro de la nación. Ante esta disyuntiva de dos aparentes realidades de un mismo fenómeno, los hechos demuestran que China, más allá de las engordadas cifras de desarrollo, en el orden interno oculta la debilidad de un despiadado modelo explotador que poco lo recomienda como próximo líder global.

Es palpable que en las élites de ese país asiático pervive un resentimiento de milenaria potencia mundial, condición que le duró hasta hace apenas un siglo, cuando sufrió el despojo y la humillación neo-colonial a manos de Occidente. Ese viejo complejo motiva un impetuoso impulso en el orden de su proyección externa, exportando la visión explotadora nacional, ausente de transparencia y nutrida de prácticas económicas desleales. Aunque utiliza con éxito los instrumentos de modernidad que le aporta la Globalización, al negarse a la democracia y al Estado de Derecho, en sí misma estructura y fomenta elementos de resistencia que la hacen peligrosamente inestable ante la creciente realidad diversa y moderna de la actual corriente civilizadora. De hecho, el modelo chino es un calculado proyecto de desarrollo sostenido sin repercusión en las libertades individuales de su pueblo.

Resulta verdaderamente deshonesto que muchos agoreros del nuevo advenimiento chino ni siquiera mencionen que esa nación persiste en ser una dictadura totalitaria. Ni se le da importancia a que sea regida por el mismo Partido Comunista que organizara y dirigiera tantas campañas y represalias que le costaran la vida y sufrimiento a millones de sus ciudadanos. Un país controlado con mano dura por una clase elitista que tiene como principal objetivo su propio enriquecimiento. Como expusiera un experto dudoso de la próxima primacía mundial china, “la población aceptó la obediencia a cambio de mejorar su nivel de vida y el Partido Comunista aceptó la transición económica y social a cambio de mayores privilegios”.

Esto incluye ejemplos hasta de rancio colonialismo, como la ocupación forzosa de la región del pueblo uigur de tradición musulmán. O como el caso del Tíbet, víctima de una invasión militar china en la década de los años 50 del pasado siglo, agresión que costó la muerte de un millón de tibetanos y la destrucción de buena parte de su acervo cultural. Ambos son obstáculos presentes e insalvables hacia el desarrollo real y humano de los derechos del gran pueblo asiático.

Anunciándolo cínicamente como una etapa necesaria para construir el desgastado fantoche del mítico y futuro Comunismo en el que nadie cree, el Partido Comunista chino ha dispuesto y bendecido la abierta y descarnada explotación de su enorme población a manos de los inversionistas extranjeros y los funcionarios nuevos-ricos del gobierno. Sin derecho a huelga, reclamaciones salariales, vacaciones o licencias por enfermedad o maternidad, los trabajadores chinos se desgastan en agotadoras jornadas de 12 y 14 horas diarias, seis días a la semana. Siempre bajo la amenaza de despido ante la menor muestra de debilidad, están presionados a esforzarse al máximo debido al enorme número de parados que esperan ansiosamente ocupar una vacante en la cadena productiva. De esta manera, el pueblo chino sufre en pleno siglo XXI los dantescos episodios de la peor etapa de explotación de los orígenes del capitalismo primitivo.

El Partido Comunista promotor de toda esa conveniente “pujanza económica” cuenta con el férreo control directo de más del 60% del país, donde se ha cuidado mucho de que no llegue la imagen de vidriera de la zona costera Oriental. Los sectores estatal y privado quedan bajo un poder central y en ambos el Partido-Estado impone no sólo decisiones administrativas incuestionables, sino que también obliga a rajatabla tasas de precios y costos. Y a pesar de que el Estado consume alrededor de un tercio del gasto público en subvencionar sus empresas para mantenerlas a flote, ofrece apenas un mínimo de salvaguarda al sufrimiento popular, autorizando sólo un reducido gasto en sanidad y pensiones, y excluyendo sufragar cualquier subsidio por desempleo.

La división del país en tres áreas económicas que requieren de un pasaporte interno para pasar de las zonas pobres a las de empuje económico favorece el modelo de explotación de la masa laboral en China, aunque no sólo dentro del territorio nacional. En varios países del primer mundo y en vías de desarrollo de Occidente, recientes denuncias demuestran casos flagrantes de brutal expolio de mano de obra china exportada. Y severas prácticas de matonismo empresarial han tenido lugar en países de creciente influencia china en África, como Zambia, reprimiendo violentamente las huelgas de mineros provocadas por violaciones salariales, o en la también minera Shougang de Perú. Por otra parte, llueven las denuncias y alarmas por las crecientes falsificaciones y alteraciones de productos de fabricación china. Acciones fomentadas por ánimos de irresponsable y desenfadado lucro, lo que mina la confianza de consumidores occidentales para el consumo en surtidos tan disímiles como los productos lácteos y juguetes hasta los sistemas electrónicos de armamento.

En América Latina, muchos elementos de las castas intelectuales y dirigentes, más allá de realidades palpables, persisten en mantener con vida el viejo andamiaje del antiamericanismo y son los más entusiastas en otorgarle a China el papel de próxima primera potencia. También conforman las filas de los mayores vaticinadores del desplazamiento del centro económico mundial de los Estados Unidos hacia la nación más poblada del mundo. Dan por sentada esta versión de los hechos como el del supuesto abandono y desinterés de la nación norteña hacia sus vecinos del sur.

Más, esto sólo es el delirio deseado por esas élites antinorteamericanas. Como alguien dijera con mucho acierto, los hechos son tozudos y desmienten toda falsa presunción. En la realidad que atormenta a esos personajes, América Latina no sólo sigue siendo el mayor centro de la inversión del capital norteamericano, superando por tres veces el de China en la región, sino que cerca del 50 % de las exportaciones norteamericanas tienen como destino a Latino-américa. Además, cada año esta región se beneficia de las transferencias de tecnologías modernas y programas de ayudas económicas de los Estados Unidos, así como de tratados comerciales preferenciales. Las remesas familiares enviadas por los emigrantes latinoamericanos radicados en Estados Unidos, pese a la crisis económica, superan los 60, 000 millones de dólares, mucho más que las provenientes de Europa y Asia. En cambio, el comercio de la región con China se concentra en la exportación de materias prima, y prácticamente no encuentra mercado para incluir en el intercambio producciones con valor agregado. Situación que no favorece el desarrollo y la solides de las economías de Latino-américa.

Contrario a las afirmaciones predominantes en el discurso de los personeros de la izquierda internacional, que no se cansan de denunciar un interés determinante de EEUU por asentarse y controlar los recursos económicos del Medio Oriente, el desplazamiento de su eje de intercambio comercial global a donde lo dirige es al Asia. No obstante, no hay dudas de que estas variaciones no modifican la persistencia del centro económico mundial dentro de los límites geográficos de Estados Unidos, el que da señales claras de reacomodo de capitales, empresas y empleos dirigidos hacia su costa occidental. Recientes acuerdos regionales de las naciones suramericanas que bordean el Océano descubierto por el conquistador español Balboa y los flamantes tratados de libre comercio firmados por Estados Unidos con Panamá y Colombia consolidan esta tendencia de preparar a la región hacia un mayor intercambio comercial en la zona económica del Pacífico, desde ya más sólidos e importantes que el lento crecimiento del otro gran proyecto económico regional de América Latina, el convenio atlántico de Mercosur.

Las instrumentaciones hacia el desarrollo de la región de cara al Pacífico tienen mayor viso de realidad que configuraciones regionales conformadas por una visión de politizado resentimiento y banal enfrentamiento geopolítico con la nación que, en la realidad que se insiste en ignorar, es la que más los favorece. Así, engendros voluntaristas como el semi-cadavérico ALBA y el endeble UNASUR parecen empezar a formar parte de las leyendas heroicas, e inútiles, del resentimiento antiimperialista latinoamericano.

Video del Parque de la Fraternidad el 30 de noviembre 2011

2011-12-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

Homenaje al Padre Loredo

2011-12-02T05:42:00.000-08:00

Las Navidades en el Presidio Político Cubano

Homenaje al Padre Loredo

Ermita de la Caridad

Salón Padre Félix Varela

Viernes 2 de diciembre de 2011

7:45 pm

-Bienvenida a la Ermita y oración. (Mons. Agustín A. Román)

-Villancicos. (Coro de las ex presas y ex presos políticos).

-Las Navidades en el Presidio Político Cubano. (Angel de Fana)

-El Padre Loredo en sus años de estudiante en el Colegio De La Salle. (Padre Ernesto Fernández-Travieso)

- Los años del presidio (José Antonio Lima)

-Su trabajo apostólico en Lawton y Luyanó después del presidio

(Padre Juan Rumin Domínguez)

-Actividad poética y literaria. (Nicolás Pérez Díaz de Arguelles)

-Los años de Ginebra. (Alberto Grau)

-Villancicos. (Coro de ex presas y ex presos políticos)

-Bendición final (Padre Juan Rumin Domínguez)

Recuerda Diciembre 2

Ermita de la Caridad. - Santuario Nacional.

3609 South Miami Ave Miami, Fl. 33133.

Tel. (305) 854-2404

"The Slow-Pitch Ambassadors to Cuba"-hay que lindo

2011-11-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

this story has been circulating for several days on how some fogie senior softball team from Eastern Massachusetts was in Cuba to play against the Cuban old timers. The EMASS team has been traveling to Cuba for the last several years to play in this "feel good" softball games. Well...."feel Good" games...not exactly....Michael Eizenburg, the organizer of this softball tournament, is "president of Educational Travel Alliance, a company based in Wellesley, Mass., which he started in 1998 largely to make arrangements for Americans — scholars, performers, foundation workers and the like — to travel to Cuba"

Somehow by playing softball this will magically solve the issues between the U.S. and Cuba (Just like the Juanes concert did?). Look I have no problems with these guys going to Cuba to play softball and I was going to ignore this story, but something inside of me did not feel right. From past history most of these “cultural exchanges” usually turn out to be a propaganda victory for the dictatorship.

You see many of us have family members who have died never to return to their homeland after having their homes and businesses confiscated, many of us have had family members thrown in jail as political prisoners, tortured, or executed and many have died after leaving on rafts from the so called tropical paradise. This is NEVER mentioned during these “cultural exchanges.?”

I have an idea for Mr. Michael Eizenberg, why don’t you go to south Florida and play some Cuban exile ole timers in softball(better bring you’re A game) and listen to their experiences!

CUBAN REGIME ESCALATES ITS REPRESSION AS ACTS OF PEACEFUL RESISTANCE INCREASE IN THE ISLAND

2011-11-28T04:50:00.000-08:00

November 27, 2011

During the week of November 21-27, human rights defenders continued being systematically subjected to acts of intimidation, threats, to brutal beatings and mob attacks; to being kidnapped and left abandoned in remote areas; to arbitrary arrests; short term detentions, and to cross examinations. The political police particularly targeted the date of November 24th, proclaimed by the peaceful resistance movement in the island as “Resistance Day”. Protests were reported Thursday in the cities of Havana, Palma Soriano, Pinar del Río, Santa Clara, Sagua la Grande, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Velasco and Cienfuegos. On the 24th day of every month, human rights groups across the island plan to stage organized protests to promote human rights and freedom in Cuba

Monday, November 21 - Police agents detained activists, Joel Lazaro Carbonell and Emilio Jerez for defending the business of a female street vendor in Havana who was being openly blackmailed by a policeman. Jerez was released but the situation of Lazaro Carbonell is unknown.

The ex-political prisoner and independent journalist Enyor Diaz Allen was released 48 hours after being arrested for photographing a mob attack against the home of human rights defender, Osvallemi Grant Guerra. Another independent journalist, Julio Beltran Iglesias, a member of the independent group, Cuban Republican Party, was also released and abandoned in Wajay, 30 kms. away from his home. Beltran Iglesias was kidnapped near his home on November 19 by Cuban State Security in Havana and subjected to cross examination and was accused of being a troublemaker as well as a mercenary of the “Imperialists” (USA), among several other charges.

The following five activists of the 30th of November Frank Pais Movement were arrested as they were on their way to promote “Resistance Day” at the home of the Secretary General of the National Front of Civil Resistance and Disobedience, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez in Santa Clara (Central Cuba): Yoan David Gonzalez Milanes (handicapped, missing a leg), Mauri Emilio Dupuy Arredondo, Guillermo Rodriguez Rodriguez, Verlay Vejerano Estrada and Juan Luis Perez Garcia. They were all abandoned in remote farm areas.

In Santa Clara (Central Cuba), a total of 17 human rights activists were violently detained when they tried to prevent the Cuban regime’s forced eviction of Yulema Benitez Sigler and her three children from their humble home. Initially detained were: Damaris Moya Portieles, Enrique Martinez Marin, Idania Yanez, Yasmin Riveron, Yusmany Rafael Alvarez, and Jose Luis Lopez. Other human rights defenders who went to the police station to demand the release of their fellow activists and were also arrested: Guillermo del Sol Pérez, Alcides Rivera Rodríguez, Víctor Castillo Ortega, Ana Rosa Alfonso, Jose Luis Lopez, María del Carmen López, Ramón Abreu, Mayra García, Rolando Ferrer Espinosa and Omar Núñez Espinosa.

Wednesday, November 23 – Jose Batista Falcon and Raudel Avila Lozada of the umbrella human rights group, Cuban Patriotic Union were intimidated and threatened with being arrested by the police as they were disseminating copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the residents in the Eastern city of Palma Soriano.

Donaida Perez Paseiro and Yris Perez Aguilera of the Rosa Parks Feminist Movement for Civil Rights were arrested by the political police as they were leaving the house of Yris in Placetas (Central Cuba) so that Yris could seek the treatment of a specialist for the head injuries caused by State Security agents during a beating in May 2011. Both women were subjected to inhumane treatment and conditions during their arrest and released 24 hours later. Yris is the wife of Antunez and their house is permanently surrounded by State Security Agents who threaten, beat and follow them wherever they go.

Thursday, November 24 – Ex-Cuban prisoner of conscience, Librado Linares, of the Cuban Reflection Movement denounced of the police operation and the mob attack to the home of human rights defender and member of the Cuban Reflection Movement, Niursi Acosta Pacheco in the town of Vueltas, Villa Clara (Central Cuba). Activists had gathered to march on to the town’s Central Park and hold and a public act but the aggressors intimidated and threatened the activists by surrounding the house and carrying knives, machetes and metal tubes. Victims of this act of repudiation were: Orlando Triana Gonzalez, Antonio Suarez Fonticiella, Miguel Sotolongo Sotolongo, Raul Gonzalez Manso, Leonardo Rodriguez Alonso, Niursi Acosta Pacheco, Jose Marino Andrades Crespo, Damaris Hidalgo Garcia, Ramon Mesa Rodriguez, Alexander Mesa Rodriguez, Juan Manuel Sarduy Segrel, Diego Sabala Abreu, Manuel U. Acosta and Librado Linares.

In Havana, the following activists marched down an important avenue in El Vedado with a white sign honoring the recently deceased leader of the Ladies in White, Laura Pollan and on behalf of freedom and human rights in Cuba: Sara Marta Fonseca, Odalys Caridad Sanabria, René Ramón González, Ismael Alfaro and Ramsés Camejo. They were all detained and released a few hours later after being threatened and intimidated by Cuban State Security.

In Pinar del Rio a march was also successfully carried out in spite of the numerous arrests. Conrado Rodríguez Suárez, member of the Democratic Alliance of Pinar del Rio (ADP) continues under arrest.

In Sagua La Grande, paramilitary groups surrounded and attacked the home of the human rights activist Jesus Reinaldo, located at Carolina Cabrera Street #60 to prevent the meeting of members of the peaceful resistance.

Pedro Campa Almenares was released after being held in the Prison of Aguadores since August 2011.

In Havana, the police arrested more than a dozen dissidents who were on their way to participate in a forum on racial discrimination to be held November 24-26 at the home of Antonio Madrazo located at Calle 23 #710 entre C y D apto 2 piso 1, Vedado. Among those detained were dissidents Manuel Cuesta Morua, Darsi Ferrer and Yusnaimi Jorge Soca, Guillermo Lizama, Leonardo Calvo, as well as Danilo Maldonado.

Friday, November 25 - José Peña Batista, president of the Calixto García Movement, was arrested and remains in custody. The previous day a march had originated at his home and gone on to a Park in the town of Velazco, in the province of Hoguin ( Eastern Cuba).

Sunday, November 27 – In spite of the intimidations and threats of beatings and arrests, 38 Ladies in White were able to hear mass and march in the city of El Cobre in Eastern Cuba while in Havana 46 members of the Ladies in White “Laura Pollan” walked down 5th Avenue after attending mass at the Church of Santa Rita.
International recognition of the peaceful resistance movement in Cuba and solidarity for these activists is crucial. The Coalition of Cuban-American Women makes an urgent call on religious, civic, political, and cultural entities and its leaders, as well as to non-gonvernmental human rights organizations worldwide.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 / Berta Soler - + 53 52906820

"Cyber Commandos spill phone numbers of Top Cuban Officials"

2011-11-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

By Juan O. Tamayo
jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com

Want to know the home address of Cuban ruler Raúl Castro’s daughter? How about the home phone number for his No. 2, José Ramon Machado Ventura? Or the cell number for Minister of Communications Ramiro Valdés?

A Miami-based website is publishing those and myriad other details on the private lives of top Cuban officials, saying it wants to warn “the darlings of the dictatorship” that they will face a dark future if the government collapses.

Also obtained from inside Cuba are digital lists of the cell phone numbers for tens of thousands of security and intelligence officers, and the street addresses of virtually every single military base on the island, contributors to the site say.

The leak of such personal details, out of a communist-ruled country where secrecy has long been paramount, reflects the Castro government’s growing inability to control the flow of information in the age of the Internet.

“Technology is going to destroy them,” said one post on the website CubaalDescubierto — Cuba Uncovered — where the details are being posted by FUEGO, or “fire,” a group that claims to be made up of Cubans in Cuba and on the outside.

The site already has published what it says are the home addresses, phone numbers and other personal information of more than 20 top Cubans since it started posting those kinds of details about six weeks ago.

They include Machado Ventura, Castro’s No. 2 in the ruling Council of State and the Communist Party; former Defense Minister Julio Casas, who died Sept. 3; and Valdés, a former Interior Minister, widely viewed as one of Cuba’s most powerful officials.

It also published the address and home phone of Castro’s daughter Deborah and her husband, Luis Alberto Rodriguez López Callejas, an army colonel who runs military-owned businesses that account for an estimated 60 percent of the island’s economy.

The addresses and phone numbers for Angela and Agustina Castro Ruz, sisters to Raúl and Fidel Castro, and for Sonia and Jose Alejandro Espin, sister and brother of Raúl Castro’s late wife, Vilma Espin, also appeared on the page.

El Nuevo Herald could not confirm all of the details published, but its calls to eight of the phone numbers confirmed that five were correct. One was confirmed by a female relative and two by housemaids. Three others did not answer, including Valdes’ purported cell.

Percy Alvarado, identified by the Cuban government in the late 1990s as one of its intelligence operatives, told El Nuevo Herald that he received a threatening call on his cellular phone earlier this month from people who identified themselves as members of FUEGO.

He called the publication of the addresses and phone numbers a “flagrant violation of the right to privacy and international laws.”

Miami blogger Aldo Rosado Tuero, a member of FUEGO and publisher of the blog Nuevo Acción, said publishing the details about the Cuban officials and relatives was designed to “send some of them the message that they are known, that we know where they live.”

“We also want to try to push these people to ease the repression [against dissidents] in Cuba, and we believe there should be some record for the future, so that crimes do not go unpunished

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/26/2519901/cyber-commandos-spill-phone-numbers.html#ixzz1evKUjWj0

2011-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We live in the best country in the world, despite all the negativity, complaining, and the "objectivity" of the media.The U.S. is the beacon of hope, opportunity, and freedom. Thank you Lord for my family, friends, and for your blessings!

God bless everyone and God bless the U.S.A.!!!

Viva Cuba libre!

2011-11-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

Cancion a Laura Pollan,version de estudio.

2011-11-18T06:02:00.000-08:00

Revista Voces dedica el Nº 11 a Laura Pollán

2011-11-18T04:53:00.000-08:00

From Cuba Independiente y Democratica :

El Nº 11 de la Revista Voces, fue lanzado en la sede de la Academia Bloguer de Cuba y dedicado a la mentora y fundadora del Movimiento Damas de Blanco Laura Pollán, en la noche del 11 de Noviembre y con la presencia de algunas de sus miembros y de su hija Laura María Labrada Pollán.

Orlando Luis Pardo, autor del blog Lunes de Post Revolución dirigió el lanzamiento de la revista en cuya portada la letra L en alusión a Laura Pollán formaban el número 11 con dos gladiolos, en el lanzamiento estuvo presente Laura María Labrada Pollán junto a Berta Soler, Aimé Cabrales Aguilar, Katia Sonia Martín Véliz y Odalys Sanabria.

Videos de la canción Laura Pollán compuesta e interpretada por Amaury Gutiérrez en el programa “A Mano Limpia” de Oscar Asa conmovió a todos los presentes al ser exhibido fue sinceramente agradecido por su hija Laurita.

PRESS RELEASE - Interamerican Commission for Human Rights - No 118/11

2011-11-14T05:17:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

N° 118/11

IACHR CONCERNED OVER ASSAULT ON BENEFICIARY OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN CUBA

Washington, D.C., November 10, 2011 - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern over recent attacks suffered by Idania Yanes Contreras in Cuba. She is a beneficiary of precautionary measures granted by the IACHR on June 8, 2011.

Information the IACHR has received indicates that Idania Yanes Contreras was arrested on October 31, 2011, when she was protesting to defend the rights of a political dissident who was on a prolonged hunger strike. Idania Yanes Contreras reportedly was taken to a police unit, dragged by her hair, and severely beaten in the head, abdomen, and back before being released on November 3, 2011. According to the information the IACHR has received, she left the detention center in a fragile state of health and entered the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital with injuries to her body.

The Inter-American Commission considers extremely serious the fact that the State of Cuba has not adopted the necessary measures that were requested by the IACHR to protect the life and physical integrity of Idania Yanes Contreras, considering the threats, attacks, and harassment to which she has been subject. The IACHR calls to mind that the State has an obligation to investigate of its own accord the facts that have been reported, and to punish those responsible for the attacks.

The IACHR urges the State of Cuba to immediately and effectively implement each of the precautionary measures granted by the Commission.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

Pope to visit Cuba

2011-11-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI might visit Cuba next spring. This surfer made a 90 ft wave, yet I don't believe the Pope's visit will do anything to"CHANGE" things in Cuba. I hope I am wrong, but history and the catholic church has shown otherwise.(I am Catholic, so no emails saying I am anti-catholic!)

Lefties talk the talk, BUT DON'T WALK THE WALK

2011-11-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Check out Michael" I love Cuba's healthcare system" Moore's SUMMER home in the above picture. He wants you to believe that he is NOT in the 1% of Americans as he says who have all the wealth, yet.......he has this summer home, that most of us can ever dream about and he is worth 50 million! He wants to project an image that he is JUST like the Occupy America protestors. Michael probably showed up to the protest in a limo.

Just like Fidel tried to project that he was an ordinary Cuban and was for the poor.....NEWSFLASH...Fidel and Raul's father was one of the wealthiest guys on the island folks, Fidel went to the elite of the elite schools. He still lives in a lap of luxury, yet he denies this to ordinary Cubans.

Remember the poster child for the left, leche Guevera? Yep, another elitist rich, spoiled, elitist brat promoting the absurd ideology of marxism and encouraging hatred amongst one another.

In history, tryrants, dictators, lefties, all seem to talk the talk, but NEVER walk the walk, when it comes to their absurd ideology

Veterans Day

2011-11-11T05:34:00.000-08:00

A salute to those who have served our great nation in defense of freedom. Please fly the flag today in remembrance of those who have sacrificed so much!

Guido Sigler Amaya arrives in Miami

2011-11-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

Cuba: Activist suffering same symptons as deceased Lady in White

2011-11-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

CUBA

WIDESPREAD BRUTAL REPRESSION AND IMPUNITY

Following a savage beating and arrest, a human rights defender is suffering the same physical symptoms as the recently deceased Lady in White, Laura Pollan

November 6, 2011

Alcides Rivera Rodriguez and Rolando Ferrer Espinosa, two activists on a hunger strike since September 28, 2011, protesting the Cuban regime’s violence against peaceful activists in the island; both admitted respectively, on October 27 and 28, 2011, to the Provincial Hospital Arnaldo Milian in the central city of Santa Clara, were forced out of the medical center by special police forces that had militarized the building. Ferrer Espinosa, was hoisted away on Monday, October 31st to his home in spite of the fact that he was on supplemental oxygen, was shaking due to a high fever, is weak after losing more than 30 lbs. of body weight, and has severe respiratory ailments as well as metabolic acidosis. On November 2,, Alcides Rivera, who was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia and has lost almost 60 lbs, was also forcibly taken out of the hospital. Both Alcides and Rolando declared that they will continue their hunger strike.

On the afternoon of October 31,when Rolando Ferrer was taken out of the hospital by State Security agents, a group of human rights defenders who had gone to the hospital in solidarity with both hunger strikers, were violently arrested: Idania Yanes Contreras, Damaris Moya Portieles, Olga Lilia González Barroso, Alexey Sotolongo Díaz, Enrique Martínez Marín, Orlando Alfonso Martínez, Jorge Ramírez Calderón, René Fernández Quiroga, José Lino Ascencio López, Jorge Alberto Liriano Linares, Yasmín Conledo Riverón, Yusmani Rafael Álvarez Esmori, Yanisbel Valido Pérez, and Víctor Castillo Ortega. The activist, Julio Columbie, who was taking care of Ferrer Espinosa’s in the hospital room was beaten and taken away in a brutal manner. Alcides Rivera Vázquez, son of Alcides Rivera and Zuleika Cepero Méndez, wife of Rolando Ferrer were also taken into custody.

Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” and his wife, Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, of the National Civic Resistance Front were beaten and dragged out of the intensive care unit where they were accompanying Alcides Rivera, as other patients screamed at the agents to stop the mistreatment.

After all pro-democracy activists were taken to the Unidad Provincial de Operaciones (UPO), they were dispersed to different municipalities in the province of Villa Clara and released by November 3rd. Alberto Reyes Morán, Michele Oliva López and Ramón Arboláez Abreu were subjected to short term detention when they appeared at (UPO) to inquire about the wellbeing of their fellow human rights activists. Also, as they were on their way to the Arnaldo Milian Hospital, Jorge Vázquez Chaviano, Nosbel Jomarca Deubides, Maidelis González Almeida and Yosmel Martínez Corcho were taken down from a bus in the outskirts of the city of Sagua la Grande and remained detained for a few hours.

On November 1, 2011, when activist Guillermo Fariñas tried to see Alcides Rivera at the hospital, he was brutally arrested and released on Thursday, November 3.

The particular case of the human rights defender and member of the Central Opposition Coalition, Idania Llanes Contreras, wife of Alcides Rivera, is alarming. On Wednesday, following the brutal beating on October 31, and still under custody,Idania developed a high fever and painful joints, began to shiver, to vomit and had a profuse vaginal bleeding. A physician at the detention center who saw her told her she might have dengue, that ” there was a lot of dengue going around.” Once released she required medical assistance at a hospital and following laboratory tests, a doctor told Idania she had an “unkown virus”. Idania was arrested and held in the same prison cell with the activists Yanisbel Valido and Damaris Portieles.

Testimony given by Idania Llanes describing their arrest:

“I was attacked by three policewomen who dealt three blows to my head as I was being dragged by my hair into a vehicle, they were beating me all over my body, specially on my abdomen…I didn’t realize that they had caused a stab wound to my left hand and scratches on my back with a metallic object. We discovered wounds in our bodies caused by sharp instruments. Damaris was thrown to the ground and hit her head so hard she almost passed out. Yanisbel was choked to the point that her face was red, so red…”

In Havana, this Sunday, November 7, 2011, though forty Ladies in White atended mass in the Church of Santa Rita and were able to march through Fifth Avenue with the image of Laura Pollan, at least six women were threatened by the political police to prevent their participation in the mass and the peaceful march. Among them were: Magaly Norvis Otero, Sandra Guerra, Elizabeth Kawooya and Dignora Figueredo.

Also this Sunday in Santiago de Cuba, a priest, several nuns and parishoners interceded on behalf of seven Ladies in White so that the police would not subject them to acts of repudiation and attacks. The women who were taken away by a car provided by nuns at the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba were: Belkis Cantillo Ramírez, Aimee Garcés Leiva, Mari Blanca Ávila Expósito, Oria Casanova Moreno, Adriana Núñez Pascual, Tania Bandera González, and Tania Montoya.

The Coalition of Cuban-American women makes an urgent call to the free world, to the press, to men and women in positions of leadership, demanding a stop to the systematic cruel and inhumane acts committed by the Cuban regime against members of Cuban civil society who defend fundamental freedoms in their own country. The lives of these human rights defenders, particularly of women activists, are in pressing danger.

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Laida Carro / Joseito76@aol.com

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: Alcides Rivera and Rolando Ferrer – Tel. + 53 42218079 /

Jorge Luis Garcia Perez “Antunez” – + 53 52564369 / Iris T. Aguilera – + 53 52564368

Tania Montoya + 53 53146329

"Cuba legalizes sale, purchase of private property"

2011-11-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

On Thursday Cuba's communist newspaper, Granma, announced that real estate will be allowed to be bought and sold. REALLY, by whom? Fidel and Raul right? Sorry not buying this red riding hood story.

Now if all property has been at the hands of government for decades, and most of those properties were stolen and confisgated by the castro dictatorship, I don't understand how this will work and Cuban exiles WILL NOT be allowed to buy properties of course.

Soon the fine print will come out and as usual this will only benefit those in the castro dictatorship

Lawmakers meet with freed Cuban prisoners

2011-11-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

By Erika Bolstad

ebolstad@mcclatchydc.com

Three Cuban dissidents jailed in a 2003 crackdown and imprisoned until their exile last year to Spain, brought their story to Capitol Hill Thursday.

The three were sponsored by European Union politicians who hope to build a trans-Atlantic coalition to put as much international pressure on Cuba as possible.

"They've been in the belly of the beast, they know what it's like to live there," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, said of the three: independent journalist Normando Hernández González, Regis Iglesias Ramírez of the Varela Project and former Nueva Prensa Cubana Director José Luís García Paneque.

"And they know what a difficult struggle it is to get international solidarity to the cause that we all are in agreement with," Ros-Lehtinen said, "and that is the promotion of democracy, of freedom, of human rights, multi-party elections, freedom to express one's ideas, and freedom to pray to a God of our choosing."

All three were arrested by Cuban authorities as part of Fidel Castro’s crackdown on dozens of dissidents and activists in what became known as the Black Spring of 2003. They were released under an agreement negotiated by the Spanish government and Cuba’s highest-ranking Catholic, Cardinal Jaime Ortega.

One of the former political prisoners, Iglesias, said he met Wednesday in Dallas with former U.S. President George W. Bush and the former president of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar. He said he aimed to bring forth the message of a "Free Cuba," and not just in the economic sense some Cubans have seen recently.

"The fact is that more than the power to purchase cars or houses, Cubans need freedom, free elections, respect to individual freedoms," he said.

Hernandez, who spent more than seven years in prison and now lives in Miami, said his aim was to "bring awareness about the experience we have lived through."

He warned that economic freedom "does not bring freedom nor democracy to a people, and certainly not to a country under an iron tyranny for 52 years."

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, called it a "huge privilege" to spend time with with the three. They represent the best of what is in Cuba, said Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami.

"People who are willing to risk their lives, their liberties, sacrifice friends and relationships on the island," Rivera said, including leaving everything "for the cause of a free and democratic Cuba. They demonstrate to the world of what is going on on the island."

Isabel Morales, a special correspondent for El Neuvo Herald, contributed to this report.

Children of human rights defenders suffer mob attacks

2011-11-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

CUBA

PEACEFUL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONTINUE FACING BRUTAL MOB ATTACKS, BEATINGS, AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS FOR THEIR PEACEFUL ACTIONS

October 30, 2011

In the Eastern city of Guantanamo, the home of Niovis Rivera Guerra, (member of the Resistance and Democracy Movement), his wife, Yurilaidy Travieso and three young daughters, 13, 9 and 3 years old, was surrounded by patrol cars, military vehicles, and subjected to, at least, two days of brutal mob attacks (October 25-26, 2011) of around 400 people. Asphalt was thrown against the house, all the windows, as well as the door, were stoned and broken, the family received death threats, and Rivera Guerra was beaten and tear gased. All this brutal violence was because the family displayed pro democracy and human rights posters in the front of their home. This is the fifth time in 2011, that the home of this activist is attacked. Several members of the Resistance and Democracy Movement were beaten and arrested when they tried to come to the aid of Niovis Rivera Guerra and his family: Hermis Figueras Ros, Francisco Osoria Claro, and the Adventist Pastor Raul Martinez Caraballo.

Also in Eastern Cuba, on October 26, 2011, several cities suffered government repression, In Contramaestre, any activist or citizen who visits the home of human rights defender, Jorge Cervantes is under scrutiny by the political police. In Moa, Rapid Response Brigades threw eggs against the home of the coordinator of the UMPACU, Juan Carlos Vazquez Osoria and the Lady in White, Annis Sarrion Romero.

Two human rights defenders in Santa Clara (Central Cuba) who were on a hunger strike since September 28, 2011, demanding that the Cuban government put a stop to the violence against peaceful activists, were taken in critical state to the Provincial Hospital Arnaldo Milian Castro. Alcides Rivera Rodriguez was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, October 27, 2011, and diagnosed with bronchopneumonia. Rolando Ferrer Espinosa was admitted on the following day. Alcides has lost almost 60 lbs. while Ferrer Espinosa who is suffering a severe abdominal pain has lost over 30 lbs.of his body weight. Both continue in critical condition.

On October 24, 2011 several human rights activists were arrested in Havana when peaceful organizations such as the National Front of Civil Resistance and Desobedience and the Human Rights Party called on activists to gather at the Martin Luther King Park. Adjacent streets to this park were all surrounded by State Security agents. Among several activists arbitrarily detained and released were Sara Marta Fonseca and Rodolfo Ramirez Cardoso.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, ten Ladies in White, in Eastern Cuba, were beaten and arbitrarily detained as they tried to attend mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba. The following women were mistreated and suffered short term detention: Aymeé Garcés ( as well as her husband Julio Valcarcel) Leyva, Belkis Cantillo Ramírez, Vivian Peña Hernández, Liudmila Rodríguez Palomo, Adriana Núñez Pascual, María Elena Matos, Oria Casanova Moreno, Yuremi González Pavót, Tania Bandera González, Ana Celia Rodríguez Torres and a minor 14 years old, Marta Beatriz Ferrer Cantillo the daughter of Lady in White, Belkis Cantillo and the expolitical prisoner of conscience, Jose Daniel Ferrer.

At least three homes of activists who had gathered in the Eastern cities of Palma Soriano and Palmarito de Cauto to protest the violence against the Ladies in White on October 30 were surrounded by repressive forces. Under siege were the following human rights defenders of the National Front Orlando Zapata as well as members of the UMPACU ( Patriotic Union of Cuba): Prudencio Villalon, Roberto Quiñones, Pedro Manuel Guerrero, Julio Cesar Salazar, Ruben Torres, Dany Lopez, Rudy San Ramirez, Rolando Humberto Gonzalez, Maximiliano Sanchez, Abraham Cabrera, Amauri Abelenda and Manuel Martinez.

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: José Daniel Ferrer - + 53 53631267 / Belkis Cantillo - + 53 53790867 /

Niovis Rivera Guerra - +53 53361314 / Jorge Cervantes - +53 53791610

Coalition of Cuban-American Women – Laida A. Carro / Joseito76@aol.com

The story behind the story on the Washington Post and Manuel Roig-Franzia

2011-10-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

On October 28th, the Ombudsman, Patrick B. Pexton, writes an article that what goes behind a good news story is dogged research of Manuel " I hate Cuban Exiles" and a leave....to concentrate on a biography of Marco Rubio.

Whoa Nellie....let's take a step back here......Who is this Manuel "I hate Cuban Exiles-Catholics" Roig-Franzia?

Well for starters he has ALWAYS been sympathic(communist leanings) and always writes gleefully for the two dictators in the above picture. He also has a disdain for the Catholic Church(Probably not for Cardinal Ortega)! manolito is from Spain, he has no clue about the Cuban experience(before I get hate mail, my grandfather was from Spain and immigrated to Cuba.....don't ask me the date, because I can't tell you, because he is dead). You can't research the Cuban experience at the Library of Congress looking at micro-film! The pain of exiles and their children HAVE TO BE EXPERIENCED ON A DAILY BASIS to have an inkling of an understanding of what SUFFERING the castro dictatorship has brought on to the Cuban people.

Manolito, are you doing Fidel's dirty work? Are you soooo afraid of an AMERICAN, who happens to be of Cuban background, might some day be Vice President or President?

Let the American people decide by voting at the ballot box....

say what mariela castro?

2011-10-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here we have a video of mariela castro, daughter of dictator raul castro, touting the red light district in Holland. It gets really nauseating when she laughs whole heartily and the expense of Cuban women on how they have to prostitute themselves to fix a bathroom......JUST SICKENING!!

Castro dictatorship very afraid of this..

2011-10-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen Questioning Secretary Clinton on Cuba

2011-10-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Cubans condemn 52 years of the Castro dictatorship!

2011-10-26T05:25:00.000-07:00

blah..blah..blah...UN condemns US embargo of Cuba for 20th year.....

..and the Cuban dictatorship has terrorized(imprisoned, tortured, and killed the Cuban people for 52 years

"A Dissident's Mysterious Death in Havana"

2011-10-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

From Capital Hill Cubans:

Days after a beating by a mob, Laura Pollán fell ill and soon died. She was cremated two hours later.

For more than eight years, the Castro regime tried its level best to silence Ladies in White leader Laura Pollán. Ten days ago Pollán did fall silent. She passed away, after a brief illness, in a Havana hospital.

Hospital officials initially said that she died of cardiac and respiratory arrest. But according to Berta Soler, the spokesperson for the Ladies in White in Havana, the death certificate says that Pollán succumbed to diabetes mellitus type II, bronchial pneumonia and a syncytial virus.

Since there was no independent medical care available to her and there was no autopsy, we are unlikely ever to find out what killed Pollán. We do know that although she was a diabetic with high blood pressure, both were under control and she did not need regular insulin shots. Indeed, she had been healthy only weeks before her death, according to friends and family. We also know that the longer she remained under state care, the sicker she got.

Not surprisingly, the Cuban opposition is suspicious about her demise, and their concerns deserve an airing if only because of the nature of the totalitarian regime. It learned its trade from communist Eastern Europe, where the practice of eliminating enemies while in state custody was refined.

Over the life of the Cuban dictatorship, suspicious deaths (most commonly heart attacks) of otherwise healthy individuals who were considered disloyal to the Castros are not unheard of. The most famous was José Abrantes, a former interior minister and confidant of Fidel, who had a falling out with his boss, was imprisoned, and though known for being fit died of a heart attack in his cell in 1991. More than one defector from inside the regime has claimed that Abrantes was murdered.

Pollán took up her cause when her husband, Hector Maseda, was arrested, along with 74 others, in an island-wide crackdown on dissent in March 2003. Seeking a way to resist the injustice, she joined other women whose loved ones were handed down long sentences in Cuba's Black Spring. Together they organized a simple, peaceful act of disobedience: After attending Mass at St. Rita's church in Havana, they marched in the street, dressed in white and carrying gladiolas. The group was peaceful and nonpolitical. But to the regime it was dangerous. Mobs were unleashed against it.

Beatings, detentions, intimidation and harassment of the group were fruitless. The Ladies repeatedly returned to their "counterrevolutionary" practices: Sunday Mass, silent processions, Wednesday women's "literary teas" held in Ms. Pollán's home, prayer vigils for the persecuted.

The movement took on enormous visual power, and when images of the ladies being attacked in the streets went viral, the dictatorship was humiliated. The Castros were forced to offer the Black Spring prisoners "liberation" through exile with their spouses.

Pollán and her husband refused. Instead she expanded the movement across the country and promised to convert it to a human rights organization open to all women. Speaking from the Guanajay prison as her condition was deteriorating, jailed former Cuban counterintelligence officer Ernesto Borges Pérez told the Hablemos Press that making public those objectives likely sealed her fate.

On Sept. 24, Pollán was attacked by a mob as she tried to leave her house to attend Mass. Her right arm was reportedly twisted, scratched and bitten. This is notable because for more than a year, the Ladies had alleged that when Castro's enforcement squads came after them, the regime's goons pricked their skin with needles. Those same women claimed that they subsequently felt dizzy, nauseous and feverish. Independent journalist Carlos Ríos Otero reported this for Hablemos Press before Pollán was hospitalized.

According to interviews with Pollán's daughter and husband and with Ms. Soler, conducted by the Miami-based nongovernmental organization Directorio, eight days after the Sept. 24 assault Pollán came down with chills and began vomiting. Wracked with pain in her joints the next day, she was taken to the Calixto García hospital. After a battery of tests she was told everything was normal and released. On Oct. 4, she had a fever and shortness of breath. A prescribed antibiotic did not help. On Oct. 7 she was admitted to the hospital, later transferred to intensive care and the next day put on a respirator.

Her family was denied visitation rights until Oct. 10, when only her daughter was allowed to see her. State security agents surrounded her bed and monitored the doctors. On Oct. 12 doctors reported that she had a syncytial respiratory virus, which is otherwise known as a cold. She was obviously much sicker.

On Oct. 14 she died. When the family was allowed to see the body, state security agents were again on hand, as they were at the one-hour wake permitted at midnight. In record time—only two hours later—Pollán was returned to ashes. Who could blame the resistance for its suspicions?

Moammar Gadhafi captured and killed

2011-10-20T13:44:00.001-07:00

Mass for the eternal repose of Laura Pollan at La Ermita

2011-10-18T04:18:00.000-07:00

Rest in Peace Laura Pollán

2011-10-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Laura: Una Mariana del siglo 21

2011-10-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Por Luis Guardia

Llorar no es la palabra, agradecer quizás, seguir es un deseo, enaltecer tal vez. Laura Pollan nació de la nada, fue un símbolo natural, una mujer de pueblo, como Mariana, la madre de los Maceos, Laura fue la esposa de Maceda, un disidente, un opositor, un patriota, un cubano.

Laura tomó su posición y la enarboló, fue una líder natural, sin quererlo, sin proponérselo, reclamó el derecho a la unidad familiar, defendió a su marido, luchó por la estabilidad de su hogar. Muchas veces recalcó no somos políticas, aunque de por sí tenía que ser, en esa Isla el régimen estableció un apartheid político, de un lado los que siguen el castrismo, del otro quienes se oponen a más de medio siglo de totalitarismo, en ese lado estaba Laura, vertical, erguida, imbatible.

Laura dejó su vida en las calles, gladiolo en mano, por esa Quinta avenida capitalina que conocía sus pasos, tras las puertas de la iglesia Santa Rita de Casia, confidente de sus pedidos. Laura fue algo más, fue la embajadora de la unidad familiar, fue la interlocutora entre Dios y un nefasto sistema que no la escuchó, un régimen que la reprimió pero nunca la venció. Laura fue la portavoz de un pueblo que reclama el derecho más sagrado de quienes tenemos el privilegio de respirar: La Libertad.

Gracias Laura, tus reclamos serán nuestros suplicios, serán nuestra deuda con la Patria. Los dejo con un resumen gráfico de esta Mariana del siglo 21.

LUIS GUARDIA / Executive Director

email: caimanproductions@yahoo.com

http://www.caimantv.com/

http://www.caimannews.com/

Socialismo: La Gran Mentira De Todos Los Tiempos

2011-10-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

El Socialismo es la mentira más grande de todos los tiempos, es la utopia que no puede ser, un sistema ineficiente cuya irracionalidad lo condena al fracaso desde el comienzo. Muchos defensores del Socialismo le echan la culpa del fracaso a los que han estado a cargo de implementarlo. Pero es un sistema que va en contra de la naturaleza humana. Un sistema que en los paises que se ha impuesto,prosperos, ricos y pobres, en todo tipo de culturas y razas, en todos los continentes siempre treminan igual, en dictaduras sangrientas que lo empobrece. Es un sistema que no tiene arreglo.

El Socialismo se especializa en explotar la pobreza, promete lo que no puede o va a dar. Dice repartir la riqueza del país, cuando la historia nos ha enseñado que la prosperidad no se crea quitándole a los que tienen para darle a los que no tienen. Promete liberar la humanidad, erradicando la pobreza y resolviendo los problemas de la sociedad, creando la igualdad, prosperidad y seguridad. Pero debido al odio a la empresa privada el sistema trata de estrangular el espíritu, la libertad humana, la iniciativa y el éxito individual. Se apodera de la propiedad privada, la base de la libertad, sin importarle el derecho del individuo y terminan con los derechos de todos, obligando al ciudadano a rendirse totalmente al estado.

Ellos deciden como debe vivir el ciudadano pues creen a todos iguales. Se les olvida que cada persona tiene gustos, deseos, metas, y diferentes prioridades. Su objetivo es la destrucción de la economía privada, crear el Capitalismo de Estado y una economía centralizada y planificada, donde todos dependen y trabajan para el gobierno. Dándole al estado un poder sobre los ciudadanos jamás visto y creando una dictadura totalitaria. En el siglo 20, el Socialismo fue la base de todas las dictaduras totalitarias, como el Comunismo, Fascismo y Nazismo, que causo tanta miseria, tristeza y derramamiento de sangre.

Contrario al Socialismo el Capitalismo ha demostrado ser eficiente al reducir la pobreza, aumentando la calidad y el nivel de vida, cosas que el Socialismo promete pero no puede cumplir.

Muchos no se dan o no quieren darse cuenta que los beneficios ofrecidos por el Socialismo solo se pueden obtener y se han obtenido a través del Capitalismo. El Capitalismo es el que saca a los países de la pobreza mientras que el Socialismo en vez de distribuir las riquezas distribuye la pobreza. Por eso siempre se ven éxodos masivos de los países socialistas a los capitalistas, cosa que los defensores del Socialismo no quieren o no pueden explicar.

El Capitalismo promueve la democracia, libera las mentes y la creatividad humana que tantos beneficios ha traído a la humanidad. Fue la iniciativa individual en países Capitalistas, la que creo la Revolución Industrial, la televisión, radio, teléfono, el avión, el automóvil, computadoras, los tantos avances en medicina y muchas cosas más las cuales no se crearon por orden de ningún gobierno.

Los países más prósperos son siempre democracias capitalistas. Son países grandes y pequeños, con todo tipo de cultura y razas que se encuentran en todos los continentes.

Muchos países del mundo pudieran avanzar si los gobiernos disminuyeran sus interferencias en la industria privada al maximo y privatizaran todas esas industrias que poseen, las cuales dejarían de dar pérdidas si estuvieran en manos privadas. La función del gobierno es de gobernar democráticamente y con honradez.

Todavía hay muchos, que viendo el fracaso de los países socialistas siguen creyendo en las promesas del Socialismo, sin darse cuenta que están respaldando a profetas falsos, que siguen hablando y prometiendo un futuro que jamás llegara.

Ulises Larramendi

Los Angeles California

EE UU

Mensaje a los cubanos

2011-10-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

Por Dr. Darsi Ferrer

La Habana, Cuba. 14 de octubre de 2011.

Es tiempo de que termine la ilegítima y abusiva dictadura en Cuba. La corriente liberadora desatada en las sociedades árabes muestra claramente el camino de cómo hacerlo. Esos pueblos hermanos son nuestros iguales como víctimas de sojuzgamiento, anulación de libertades y derechos, represión y sufrimiento acumulado y creciente. Y sus opresores también se asemejan a los nuestros. En nada los diferencia la injusticia y corrupción que esparcen, el despotismo y la crueldad de su poder, los privilegios y pretensión de perpetuarse en dinastías. Los nombre de Ben Alí, Hosni Mubarak, Muamar al Gadafi, Bashar al Asad, se escriben con el mismo sentido ignominioso que Fidel y Raúl Castro.

La nación cubana debe tenerlo bien claro de una buena vez. Los salvajes métodos represivos que estos dictadores del Medio Oriente y el Norte de África han emprendido contra sus pueblos, son similares a los que practican los opresores del régimen para mantener a las personas en Cuba pobres, ignorantes, esclavizadas y aisladas del mundo. Y en nada se diferenciarán las masacres y los atropellos que allí se cometen, a lo que están dispuestos a protagonizar los gobernantes castristas para doblegar cualquier reclamo que estalle contra sus injusticias. Las recientes acciones de violencia desproporcionada contra los opositores en la isla alcanzan la cifra más alta de los últimos treinta años. Es el indicador del temor a una rebelión y quieren aterrorizarnos para que no ocurra. El instinto bestial compulsa a esos represores en su intención de aplastar los reclamos que surjan en el país, incitados por lo que ahora mismo hace el ejército sirio con su propia población.

Nos solidarizamos con todos los pueblos que se levantan en rebeldía motivados por el reclamo del derecho a ser libres. Sentimos la obligación de felicitar y dar gracias a los hermanos árabes, libres de vanguardias y líderes carismáticos, por demostrar la fuerza indomable que es capaz de brotar cuando los pueblos deciden emprender una revolución popular. Ellos vencieron lo que parecía imposible. !Nosotros también podemos!

Tal como clamaron los tunecinos y egipcios, después los libios y ahora exigen los sirios, los cubanos todos, en la isla y en la diaspora, debemos reconocer que nuestra libertad, y el resurgir de nuestras esperanzas y oportunidades, dependen de sacudirnos el lastre devastador del castrismo. No hay otra opción, compatriotas, los invito a asumir como mensaje común: !Fuera la dictadura! !Que se vayan los Castro!

LA CAÍDA DE PLINIO PRIETO Y SUS COMPATRIOTAS - ESCAMBRAY 10-12-1960

2011-10-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Blog for Cuba for this:

TESTIMONIO PERSONAL: "LA CAÍDA DE PLINIO PRIETO Y SUS COMPATRIOTAS"

En los últimos momentos... me dijo estas palabras que son todo un testamento: «Si tiene oportunidad de ver a mi señora, a los niños y a mi vieja, dígales que les quiero mucho, que les guardo el último recuerdo y que muero con una fe a plenitud en Dios y en los hombres»... Estas son las últimas palabras de Plinio Prieto Ruiz, según el escrito del RP Olegario Cifuentes: «Últimos momentos de la vida del comandante Plinio Prieto Ruiz» después de oír su confesión, poco antes de morir por Cuba con sus cuatro compañeros: Sinesio Walsh Ríos, José Palomino Colon, Ángel Rodríguez del Sol, y Porfirio Ramírez Ruiz, alzados en El Escambray contra Fidel Castro.

Esto sucede la noche del 12 de Octubre de 1960 en el campo de tiro de la finca «La Campana», a unos pocos kilómetros de Santa Clara, donde, en Enero de 1998, el Papa Juan Pablo II dirá su primera misa en Cuba...

... Al mediodía, un espectáculo -teatral y macabro- tiene lugar en el teatro de oficiales del Regimiento de Santa Clara, al que llaman «juicio militar revolucionario». Liana Prieto-Arcia y yo, hermanos de Plinio, empujados por una estampida humana al abrirse las puertas, terminamos sentados en las butacas del publico. En el amplio escenario apenas caben los militares miembros del tribunal, las mesas, los testigos, fiscales, abogados... Luego, con cierta confusión, hacen entrar por el fondo a más de 150 patriotas acusados.

Después de largas horas de aquel espectáculo hasta el agotamiento de todos los presentes, el Primer Teniente Claudio M. López Cardet, Presidente del Tribunal, con gran ceremonia anuncia «un receso de 24 horas para dictar sentencia»... citando a los presentes «en este lugar.» Soy testigo...

... Al salir del teatro de oficiales, cae la tarde... Nos vamos a la casa de mi tío «Lalo», Dr. Eduardo Ruiz, conocido cirujano de Santa Clara, donde están reunidos mi madre y unos cuarenta de familia, más amistades. Pasa el tiempo lentamente. Mi familia -bien conocida allí- no recibe noticias. ¿Donde estaría Plinio? ¿Podríamos, tal vez, visitarlo?... Ya tarde en la noche, mi madre me dice agitada: «Pepe, tengo un mal presentimiento»... y me pide que obtenga noticias, lo que todos ansiábamos. Liana y yo, con otros familiares, salimos a indagar por la ciudad. Sin rumbo preciso, visitamos varias dependencias militares... Nadie sabe nada.

Por último, en alguna posta militar, nos acercamos a un guardia armado. Me identifico como hermano de Plinio Prieto al preguntarle por el. El guardia cruza su fusil... «Tienen que retirarse de aquí» dice amenazante... y, al ver que no nos movíamos, turbado y vacilante, ahora sí me responde: «Ah, si... si son los que iban a fusilar... ya los fusilaron.»

Liana se echa en mis brazos llorando. «Mi hermanito» murmura entre sollozos... ... ... Mas tarde, en el cementerio, mi madre -la encorva el dolor- se arrodilla penosamente sobre un montículo de tierra coronado por una sencilla cruz de madera blanca. Se abraza a la tierra que magulla su fina piel, gritando: ... »Plinio», «Plinio», «Plinio»... Callamos... largo rato... hasta que alguien dice unas breves palabras de consuelo que no recuerdo... ... ... ..

... Luego... queda... en aquel cementerio de Santa Clara, un montículo de tierra coronado con una sencilla cruz de madera blanca... flores... y, un manto de innumerables gotitas de sangre invisibles que la tierra ha arrancado al ultimo abrazo de mi madre desesperada. «Bello gesto» de otra madre mambisa lista a dar la ultima gota de su sangre por la vida de cualquiera de sus hijos. No hay tal... «receso de 24 horas para dictar sentencia»...

Según el relato del Padre Olegario: «... fueron colocados frente al pelotón de milicianos, los cuales hicieron la descarga con armas automáticas de las llamadas metralletas... ante la mirada de mas de dos mil milicianos y soldados... en la noche del doce de Octubre... las once y veinte, en que tuvo lugar la ejecución»...

Según otra fuente: »Antes, un gesto de Plinio detiene la ejecución. Sereno realiza un último acto de burla a la tiranía. Con otro gesto les indica que continúen»... ... Asesinados... pero hay más, según esta otra fuente que ratifica el uso alevoso de armas automáticas: «...apuntándoles a las rodillas, les dispararon con fusiles automáticos... luego, ya en el suelo y retorciéndose de dolor, les dieron el tiro de gracia».

En Cuba comunista -de hoy y de entonces- solamente existe una persona, capaz de ordenar a otros este acto inhumano, perverso, infame, cruel y cobarde, el tirano comunista... : vil-bestia-inmunda, arrogante-mentiroso-compulsivo, siniestro-psicópata-genocida.

... A través del tiempo... y el espacio, el RP Olegario nos recuerda el sencillo y breve mensaje póstumo de fe en la República de Cuba de uno de tantos miles de patriotas cubanos caídos:

...«Muero con una fe a plenitud en Dios y en los hombres»...

José Prieto

Miami, 10/12/2004

Olvide nunca:

LA O/A (ORGANIZACIÓN AUTÉNTICA) Y EL ESCAMBRAY.

CAUSA Nº 829 DE 1960.

SENTENCIA, 12 de octubre de 1960.

Tribunal Revolucionario:

Presidente: 1er.Tte. ER, Dr. Olaudio M. López CardetVocales: Capt. Hornedo Rodríguez Ruiz. 1er.Tte. PNR. Leonel Tornés Fandiño 1er.Tte. ER. Erasmo I. Anoceto Machado 2do.Tte. ER José A. Ferrer y BritoFiscal: Capt. ER Juan Escalona Reguera.

Condenados a muerte y fusilados en la madrugada del 13 de octubre de 1960:

PLINIO PRIETO RUIZ

SINECIO WALSH RIOS

JOSÉ A PALOMINO COLON

PORFIRIO REMBERTO RAMIREZ RUIZ

ANGEL V. RODRIGUEZ DEL SOL

Dirigir sin leyes

2011-10-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

Por: Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello

Una de las expresiones del ex presidente Fidel Castro, que no se le olvida a los cubanos de la generación del 59 es: Elecciones ¿para qué?, que se puede sobreponer a otra, aunque no ha salido de su boca, es una forma que ha aplicado el gobierno en su método de dirección: Leyes ¿para qué? La respuesta a esta pregunta es bien sencilla: “Para violarlas”

Algunos disidentes dentro del país –en minoría- votan porque se respete la Constitución de la República y piensan que con ello se superarán algunos de los problemas que tiene la sociedad cubana, sin necesidad de que haya un cambio en el gobierno. Como apostamos a la democracia, hay quienes están en total desacuerdo con estas teorías, para este grupo de opositores -que sin dudas es mayoritario- esto es algo impensable, ya que para solventar las grandes dificultades que tiene este pueblo, hay que sacar “el mal” de raíz y sustituir todos aquellos que estuvieron relacionados con él; a estas alturas no caben medias tintas.

Es tan obvio el incumplimiento de las legislaciones y además el régimen lo hace con total descaro, que sería en vano pensar que todas esas algarabías de los discursos de Raúl Castro, hablando sobre la institucionalización del país y de poner orden en la economía y la sociedad, son tomadas en serio; es nada más que una perorata virtual para los ingenuos que quieren creerlo.

En fecha reciente se celebró “El Día de las Víctimas del Terrorismo de Estado”, según fue determinado por el Decreto Ley 279 de 6 de octubre de 2010. El periódico Granma mostró un Editorial en el que define que el Gobierno continuará condenando y enfrentando el terrorismo en todas sus formas y manifestaciones, en particular el terrorismo de Estado, dondequiera que se cometa y cualesquiera que sean las razones esgrimidas por sus autores.

Después de leer este Editorial, para aquellos que han vivido los últimos acontecimientos políticos del país es válida la pregunta: ¿está eximido el régimen cubano de ser un ejecutor del terrorismo de Estado? La contestación sería un NO mayúsculo. Alrededor de 600 disidentes detenidos, arbitrariamente, con un uso desmedido de violencia policial, principalmente contra las mujeres; y violando todo lo establecido por ellos mismos, es sencillamente una de las muchas respuesta que tendría esta interrogante.

Se pudieron constatar -en estos días- opositores dados como desaparecidos, porque no son registrados oficialmente -como está establecido por el propio Ministerio del Interior- en las listas de las Unidades de la Policía Nacional Revolucionaria a donde son conducidos por la Seguridad del Estado. Medidas cautelares de permanecer dentro del domicilio, sin haber sido emitido documento alguno por la autoridad competente, sólo por la palabra de un oficial que diga: “Hay órdenes de arriba de que no puedes salir de la casa, porque si sales te detendremos

Ciudadanos cubanos, que por el solo hecho de pensar diferente a quienes detentan el poder, no pueden salir de sus municipios, ni moverse libremente por el país. Otros a los que no se les permite ni siquiera asistir a una actividad diplomática. Han llegado incluso al extremo tortuoso de introducir un pañuelo en la boca de un disidente para que no pueda gritar, sin valorar siquiera a qué enfermedades podría ser sometida esta persona, con un artículo de uso personal que puede tener –como mínimo- desprendimientos orgánicos de su dueño.

Estos son algunos ejemplos de la forma en que se impone el terrorismo de Estado, pero es que no solo son los disidentes las víctimas de este método de mantener el poder, también lo es la nación cubana en general. A cada ciudadano se le impone el pánico y se le violan sus derechos.

Es por eso que hablar de “vidas segadas por el odio”, durante la velada del pasado 5 de octubre, no le corresponde a un gobierno que comenzó su mandato fusilando, llevando hombres y mujeres a prisión y despojando de sus bienes a una parte considerable de los cubanos. Todavía retumban en los oídos de muchos los gritos de ¡Paredón!; y los actos de repudio a las personas que se inscribieron para salir del país cuando la crisis del Mariel. Siempre la misma respuesta: “es el pueblo”.

Sin embargo, las mentiras y las violaciones de lo legislado, ya toman niveles escandalosos. En el acto que se celebró en el llamado “Monte de las Banderas”, frente a la Oficina de Intereses de los Estados Unidos de América, a las 12 de la noche se izaron 138 banderas cubanas a media asta, en contra de lo establecido en el Reglamento de la Ley de los símbolos nacionales, (Decreto 143/88) que regula la hora de izar la bandera a la salida del sol.

Por su parte la periodista Alina Perera Robbio del Diario Juventud Rebelde, aseguró que en todo el archipiélago los estandartes patrios estarían izados a media asta el 6 de octubre, en todo el archipiélago. Pero la realidad fue otra, en una muestra tomada en tres regiones del país: occidente, centro y oriente; ni siquiera llegó al 3% el número de banderas a media asta.

¿Y dónde estaba el Partido Comunista de Cuba para chequear esta tarea política? ¿Quién era responsable de ello en el Buró Político o en el Comité Central? Y si por “Ley” este es un día luctuoso, comparable a un duelo oficial, ¿quién hace cumplir la “Ley” en Cuba?

Para hacer estos grandes ridículos nacionales no hace falta seguir legislando, de todas formas da lo mismo, la isla se ha convertido en un barco que se llena de agua y se hunde lentamente en su propia tragedia nacional.

La Habana, 10 de octubre de 2011.

Cuban spy for the castro dictatorship released from prison

2011-10-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

CUBA - El Paraíso Comunista de América

2011-10-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

British ambassador on short term detentions

2011-10-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

29 September 2011

British ambassador Dianna Melrose comments on the situation.

Commenting on recent reports of short term detentions in Cuba, British ambassador Dianna Melrose said:

“We are concerned about increased reports of political and human rights activists being detained for short periods. The high number of detentions in Santa Clara and Eastern Cuba are a cause of particular concern, as is the aggressive treatment of the Damas de Blanco, and we urge the Cuban authorities to allow peaceful activists to go about their work free from arrest or the fear of it. President Raúl Castro has emphasised the need to tolerate different views and we hope this will translate into reality”

H/T to Joseito!

VIGILIA POR LA LIBERTAD DE SARA MARTA FONSECA Y TODOS LOS PRESOS POLITICOS

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

From Facebook:

VIGILIA POR LA LIBERTAD DE SARA MARTA FONSECA Y TODOS LOS PRESOS POLITICOS

Time Wednesday, October 5 · 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Location Restaurant Versailles

Created By Betsy Barbara

For LIBERTAD PARA SARA MARTA FONSECA. FREEDOM FOR SARA MARTA FONSECA

More Info 3555 SW 8th St

Miami, FL33135

PATROCINADO POR PLANTADOS

Plantados nos ha permitido que hagamos esta vigilia con ellos. Gracias!!!

Seguridad del Estado fuerza el domicilio de Sara Marta.

2011-10-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

'Univision network vs. Marco Rubio in war over report"

2011-10-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Univision aired on the show called "Al Punto" hosted by Jorge "anus" Ramos, a decades old story about Marco Rubio's brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was arrested in 1987 "coke-and-pot ring." Mr. Rubio was 16 at the time. Now days before Univison was to air this story, it has been alleged that Univison contacted the Rubio camp, and said if Mr. Rubio would come on the show "Al Punto" they would NOT run the story on his brother-in-law.

Hmmmm.....doesn't this soumd like blackmail?

Jorge "anus" Ramos is A STAUNCH SUPPORTER of the "DREAM ACT" which gives amnesty to illegal immigrants or "undocumented" as the term Univision uses. Marco Rubio opposes the "DREAM ACT" and I believe THEIR is the conflict.

I am sure....let's say if Marco Rubio were not Cuban-American, but the same background as "anus" ramos......do you think this would be happening?

"Roseanne Barr: Behead Bankers, Rich Who Won't Give Up Wealth'

2011-10-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well Roseanne follwing your ideology, you should be first in line for the guillotine! You are wealthy and not spreading the wealth.

Watch the video.

Congresistas reclaman a organismos internacionales ante aumento de represion en Cuba

2011-09-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

Liberan a jóvenes músicos de hip-hop y varios disidentes en La Habana

2011-09-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Liberan a jóvenes músicos de hip-hop y varios disidentes en La Habana

Por Roberto de Jesús Guerra Pérez/ Hablemos Press / robersm2007@gmail.com

La Habana, 28 de septiembre - Rodolfo Ramírez Hernández (El Primario) y Julio León Fonseca (Julito) cantantes del movimiento underground de hip-hop en La Habana, fueron liberados el martes en la tarde.

También los disidentes Rodolfo Ramírez Cardoso, René Ramón González Bonelli, Rances Miranda Camejo, Mari Blanca Ávila y Yoani García Martínez.

Este grupo junto a Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, Yaimara Pérez Mesa y Donaida Pérez Paseiro, los detuvo la policía política el lunes cuando se organizaban en Río Verde para realizar una manifestación frente al edificio de Seguridad del Estado-Sección 21, en el barrio de Marianao, para exigir la liberación de los disidentes Sara Marta Fonseca y su esposo Julio Ignacio León, arrestados el sábado.

Este miércoles al medio día se desconocía el paradero de Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, Yaimara Pérez Mesa y Donaida Pérez Paseiro.

Sara Marta Fonseca y su esposo Julio Ignacio León continúan detenidos. Las autoridades han informado a sus familiares que los van a enjuiciar por Atentado y Desorden Público.

Sara Marta y Julio Ignacio fueron detenidos luego de realizar una protesta a favor de los derechos humanos en Río Verde, donde protagonizaron un enfrentamiento con turbas progubernamentales y agentes de la policía política.

El Primario y Julito mostraron a periodistas de esta agencia los golpes que le propinaron agentes de la policía a la hora de arrestarlos.

Pulse el audio para escuchar las declaraciones de Rodolfo Ramírez Hernández

(El Primario) >> http://www.netforcuba.org/apps/podcast/podcast/152998

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Se enfrentan opositores cubanos a la policia politica en Río Verde

2011-09-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Pro Government Mob beats, bites, insults Ladies in White in Havana

2011-09-26T04:40:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2011

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, an organized pro government mob of around 300 people, alongside State Security agents with loudspeakers that resonated speeches by Fidel Castro, and who were screaming slogans, insults, obscenities, and carrying flags and posters, surrounded the home of one of the representatives of the peaceful human rights group of women known as the “Ladies in White”. Some thirty five women from numerous provinces were gathered at Calle Neptuno #963, entre Aramburen y Hospital in Havana, home of Laura Pollán, to make their usual once a year pilgrimage by foot to attend mass at the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, patron saint of all prisoners.

The women were brutally assaulted by plainclothes State Security agents when they tried to leave the house at 4:00 p.m. The mob pounced on them, hitting, twisting their arms, and even biting the women. The crowd kept screaming “they will not go through” (no pasarán) and “machete, they are only a few” (machete que son poquitas), implying that the women would never get through the crowd, and that, because the women were only a few, they were easy prey, implying brutal violence, at the hands of the mob.

Thirteen other Ladies in White, including Berta Soler in Havana, left from another location they had previously agreed on and were able to circumvent State Security agents and reach the Church of Our Lady of Mercy to attend mass.

Two supporters of the Ladies in White, Liudmila Rodriguez and Yanelis Delenka Despaigne, were taken down from the bus they were riding by State Security agents who took their personal documents to prevent them from continuing their journey on to Havana from Eastern Cuba. Doraysa Correoso and Annia Alegre also from Eastern Cuba, disguised themselves as beggars to be able to reach the house of Laura Pollan in Havana. Throughout the island there were activists, including Ladies in White, who were threatened and kept under house arrest to prevent their assistance to the mass at the Church of Our Lady of Mercy.

Numerous human rights activists also suffered short term arrests on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Among them were: human rights defenders Aimee Garces and Tania Montoya who were detained as they left Laura Pollan’s home to make their return trip back to their homes in Eastern Cuba and released after authorities took away all their money. In Havana, activist Eriberto Liranza, leader of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy was arrested, beaten and released, and so were Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antunez and his wife Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera in Placetas. Manuel Cuesta Morua was detained and prevented from attending an independent cultural event in Havana and released a few hours later.

Sara Marta Fonseca a member of the Pro Human Rights Party Affiliated to the Andrei Sajarov Foundation and spokesperson of the Orlando Zapata Tamayo National Resistance Front, together with her husband, remain imprisoned since Saturday, accused of "public disorder".

The Coalition of Cuban-American Women will continue to denounce the escalating violence committed by the Cuban regime against peaceful human rights activists and makes an urgent call to the press and to non-governmental organizations dedicated to the defense of human rights worldwide, as well as to women in positions of leadership in religious, political, educational, social, and cultural institutions.

FURTHER INFORMATION IN CUBA: / Berta Soler + 53 52906820 / Laura Pollan + 53 7 8734165 or + 53 5 2457830/ Tania Montoya +53 53146329

Coalition of Cuban-American Women / Laida A, Carro / Joseito76@aol.com

ARRESTADO DIRIGENTE SANTIAGO MEDINA Y AMENAZADO ACTIVISTA HANS DELGADO

2011-09-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

ARRESTADO DIRIGENTE SANTIAGO MEDINA Y AMENAZADO ACTIVISTA HANS DELGADO

"El ex preso político y miembro del Comité Ejecutivo Nacional Santiago Medina Salabarría fue arrestado en horas de la mañana de hoy sábado 24 de septiembre a una cuadra de su casa en Centro Habana. Se desconoce su paradero..."

SIGUE EN: http://cubacid.blogspot.com/

U.N./ Former Cuban prisoner of conscience delivers testimony

2011-09-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Testimony given by former Cuban prisoner of conscience, Fidel Suárez Cruz, before U.N. parallel summit in New York, on September 21, 2011:

"Good afternoon. I would like to thank UN Watch and the coalition of non-governmental organizations for the invitation which has made possible my presence here today. My name is Fidel Suárez Cruz. I am Cuban. I was condemned to 20 years of prison. I was kept in solitary confinement for seven years and seven months.

I was put under the cellular system which consists of living in a solitary cell without human contact. For two years and eight months I was kept in a walled-in or “tapiada” cell. Tapiada cells have a double-layered steel door instead of bars. The other walls are made of cement, without windows. This results in no ventilation.

According to the Regulations of Interior Order of Jails and Prisons in Cuba , a prisoner has a right to a daily hour of sunlight. During the time which I was confined to a walled-in “tapiada” cell, I was also denied sunlight and artificial illumination. The cell was dark at all times, and my family was prevented from bringing me a light-bulb or lamp to illuminate the cell.

In addition to this treatment, I also received terrible beatings for refusing to use the common prisoner uniform, as I was a prisoner of conscience. I was also brutally beaten for refusing to shave and stand up to salute the soldiers in the prison who would do the prisoner recount twice a day. In a time period of one month and nine days, I was beaten for these reasons 19 times while at Agüica prison in the province of Matanzas , between January and February 2005. This prison is located 525 kilometers from my house, in the town of Cayuco , province of Pinar del Río .

These beatings consisted of a group of military men entering my cell. Four of them would lift me up and throw me against the floor. Other times they would use tonfas, canes made of rubber on the outside with a steel rod on the inside. With these, they would beat my knees or lower extremities to force me to stand up and dress in the common prisoners clothing. They would punch me in the abdomen, ribs. They would kick me. They would beat my head, leaving me deaf from my right ear and almost deaf from the left. These continued beatings dislocated my right knee and affected my fifth lumbar vertebrae and first cervical vertebrae.

This beating was carried out in a special cell which has architecture that resembles a number five. It is a system of cells in which, upon entering, you have to pass three very narrow hallways and two barred doors. No one can hear or know anything of what happens there. I was kept in punishment for a month and nine days. The official who personally directed these beatings is the Captain who calls himself Emilio Cruz; these were ordered by the official of the political police who in charge of this prison who calls himself Peñate, who receives orders from Section 21 of the Council of State.

On July 27th of the same year, 2005, in the same prison, for continuing to refuse to shave, I was newly beaten by two prison officials who call themselves Dioval Gainza and Yusley alias “el jabao”. They punched me throughout my body and on my head, causing me multiple bruises. They did not beat me directly on my face, so as not to leave visible marks.

While confined in Kilo 8 Prison in Pinar del Río, I received other beatings. During one of these beatings, for protesting to demand medical attention for an inmate, I was violently dragged from the third floor of the prison down the stairs to the first floor, and later transferred to area #2 of the punishment cells in the bordering Kilo 5 ½ Prison. I was in this punishment cell for a period of 21 days. As a result of this treatment, they dislocated my right leg, which left me with one leg longer than the other.

In another beating for carrying out a peaceful protest because authorities denied giving me the hour of sunlight, they put the handcuffs on me in such a manner that they dug into my wrists, cutting my skin and circulation in my hands. On this occasion, they once again dragged me from the third floor to the first, as a habitual form of punishment.

The characteristics of the 21 days punishment cells in area #2 of Kilo 5 ½ are the following: one sleeps on the floor or in a cement slab that protrudes from the wall; without illumination; the rats, cockroaches, ants are the only company a prisoner has; in the summer months, the heat is asphyxiating to the point that the cell rather seems like an oven. One cannot sleep because of the discomfort and dehydration produced by these conditions.

The food, if it can be called food, was brought to my cell by a guard. This consisted of a small ration of badly prepared rice, potato, or sweet potato, on numerous occasions, accompanied by worms and weevils, which meant this food was in the process of putrefaction. Ninety percent of the diet was of these small quantities of carbohydrates and rarely an egg, or some sort of entrails.

It can be said that the sanitation and hygienic conditions of all the prisons where I was taken are nonexistent. First, the prisoner does not have a place to sit, only on the floor. To carry out physiological needs, there is a hole in the ground inside the cell. The spigot for drinking and bathwater can be found approximately 10 to 15 cm from this hole, where the remains of fecal matter linger. The so-called beds are constructed of corrugated steel bars, full of rust, and welded to the floor of the cell. In Agüica Prison, instead of corrugated steel, it is a cement bed.

All personal hygiene items must be brought by family members to the prisoner; that is when they are able to gain access to these products which ordinary Cubans lack.

For a prisoner of conscience like myself, who also refused any so-called reeducation plan, which is nothing more than a political indoctrination plan for the prisoner to regret defending the cause of defending human rights, family visits were every three months under normal conditions. This is to say, when I was not in a punishment cell or having problems with the prison authorities, I could see only 2 adults (during each visit and they could only be members of my immediate family) and minors. My family members had to travel approximately 525 kilometers in order to visit me. Taking into account the difficult conditions for travel in Cuba , this was a problem for my family, although they always went to visit me despite much hardship and difficulties.

At the moment, the current situation in Cuba is quite worrisome. On the one hand, there are many ordinary Cubans who are identifying with the internal resistance and their struggle for the human rights of the Cuban people, and on the other hand the opposition is protesting on the streets demanding freedom. What does the tyranny do? As methods of terror, they are repressing with beatings, detentions, tear gas. They are also using a strategy of detaining human rights defenders and releasing them after various hours.

In Cuba , all of the rights contemplated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are violated, despite Cuba being a signatory. In regards to article 13 of this declaration, in Cuba , one cannot enter and leave the country freely, nor can one move freely within the national territory. Cubans who are allowed to leave the country need the White Card, a document emitted by the Ministry of the Interior, without which one cannot leave the country. Also, to enter the country, any Cuban citizen or person born within the country, needs to solicit an entry permit or visa from Cuban authorities which is also granted by the Ministry of the Interior, and depends on his/her political behavior abroad in regards to the dictatorship.

In Cuba , parents do not have the right to choose the education their children with receive. Education is controlled and directed by the regime, and children are indoctrinated with communist ideology, to form men and women who will respond to the regime’s interests. This violates section 3 of article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Freedom of speech does not exist in Cuba . The mass media is in the hands of the tyranny. In other words, a human rights activist cannot have access to these means. If a person publicly expresses an opinion related to politics or economics, contrary to that of the regime, they can be processed for “enemy propaganda”, a criminal offense according to the current Cuban Penal Code.

There are also other offenses considered criminal in Cuba , such as “pre-criminal social dangerousness”, which has been used to imprison people who are opposed to the dictatorship, or people who are unemployed and are considered dangerous by the regime.

There is a growing number of youth and blacks imprisoned under “dangerousness”. Ninety percent of the Cuban prison population is black and young, this is how the tyranny controls any social explosions, using coercive methods.

I consider that at this moment, the revolutions in the Middle East have had an impact in Cuba , despite censorship. This is why the dictatorship on the Island has increased repression. The result of these revolutions will continue to impact and encourage the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom.

I speak of censorship because for example, in Cuba there is no free-uncensored access to the Internet. Only regime elite, governmental institutions, and tourist centers have official access. Internet access is practically impossible in Cuba ’s provinces, it is only in Havana where it is possible with effort and restrictions. When I entered the prison in 2003, the existence of bloggers in Cuba was unthinkable, and even more so, Internet access.

The only alternative media which is currently functioning is twitter, which can be used through text messaging. However, this is too expensive for Cubans because you need to use a cellular phone. In addition to this, cellular phones and phone lines are hacked by the regime, as it controls the communications network on the Island . The dictatorship even uses the cellular phones of opposition activists to send death threats to fellow activists. This is done to generate division and paranoia between those who oppose the system.

The international community is not doing enough with respect to the subject of Cuba . Many governments remain silent in regards to the human rights violations in Cuba . Some international news media have also been accomplices of this silence. I consider that the tyranny should be accused in all International forums as a violator of the human rights of Cubans, as this is the essence of the tyranny.

A one party system, such as that which exists in Cuba , must murder, repress, torture, exile, and incarcerate its people to remain in and consolidate power for 52 years.

I would like Cuba not to be forgotten. I would like freedom and democracy for Cuba . I dream of a country where all Cubans can enjoy the freedom for which so many have died. I would like Cubans to be able to travel in and out of their country without having to ask for permission. I would like Cubans to have a political model which will allow them to develop their intellectual capacity and in this way help in the country’s progress.

In conclusion, I ask the international community for support for the internal resistance and the Cuban people in order to be able to obtain freedom.

Thank you very much.

------------------------------

Testimony of former Cuban prisoner of conscience, Fidel Suárez Cruz presented on September 21, 2011, at the global summit of democracy activists, human rights defenders and non- governmental organizations, about human rights violations in Cuba. Suarez Cruz called for greater support for the island’s pro-democracy resistance movement. The Summit is taking place in New York on September 21-22, 2011 parallel to the U.N. General Assembly, and the 10th anniversary commemoration of the UN’s Durban conference on racism. Fidel Suarez Cruz addressed the Summit during a panel entitled "Dictatorship to Democracy: Dissidents Speak", which also feature democracy activists from Burma, Tibet, and North Korea.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Asamblea de la Resistencia Cubana/