Friday, January 20, 2012
Carta a Mons. Wensky de un balsero catolico cubano
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution
The Grandchildren of the Cuban Revolution from Carlos Montaner on Vimeo.
H/T to my mom and dad for this video!
Monday, January 16, 2012
CUBA:HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER DYING IN A HOSPITAL AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS ON A HUNGER STRIKE
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
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
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Ros-Lehtinen Says Cuban Regime Big Winner in New Travel Spree
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.”
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"Miami archbishop hopes for 'springtime of faith' in pope's visit to Cuba"
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?"
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
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
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
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Pope Benedict XVI: itinerary for Cuba, 2012
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.
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
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
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.
Monday, January 02, 2012
"Pope Benedict XVI to visit Cuba March 26-28"
Pope Benedict XVI scheduled to visit Cuba on March 26-28, 21012. Click here for the story.
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