The Miami Herald recently had an article, "Cuba fighting blogs with blogs" making reference to the growing influence the Cuban blogosphere has been garnering. Within the article there was a revealing quote from a Castro supporter talking about independent bloggers:
``There must be a defense, but how?'' wrote one government supporter on Progreso-Weekly.com ``If you [answer] them, you validate them. If you ignore them, you confirm them. If they are repressed, they are empowered. And if they are not repressed, they are also empowered.''
This quote embodies so much of what is wrong with the regime--a fear of criticism. Why must you "defend" against people who are speaking their minds? Why does the "Revolution" require the silencing of voices in order to maintain its "legitimacy" (not that it was ever or could ever be considered legitimate). Still, it is promising to see that bloggers are receiving so much attention from the government. The Castro's control of the flow of information is weakening and, with that, so is the government's illegitimate control over its people.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
"LADIES IN WHITE" ATTACKED BY CASTRO REGIME'S STATE SECURITY FORCES WHILE MARCHING ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Cuba’s renowned dissidents, the “Ladies in White” (Damas de Blanco), have been attacked by mobs organized by the Castro regime’s State Security apparatus since 10:00 AM today. The Ladies have been continually beaten and pushed as they march, since setting out this morning on a peaceful demonstration through the streets of Havana to commemorate International Human Rights Day and to demand the release of Cuba’s political prisoners.
A mob of about 300 orchestrated by the regime’s security forces have surrounded and besieged the group, pushing and insulting them, and attempting to impede their ability to move forward. The Cuban American National Foundation established brief direct phone contact with one of the Ladies, Berta Soler, during the ordeal. Ms. Soler, the wife of political prisoner Angel Moya Acosta, confirmed details of the incident as screams were heard in the background.
There are also reports coming from Cuba that other democratic opposition groups have organized similar peaceful activities which have led to arrests.
The Cuban American National Foundation stands in solidarity with the Ladies in White and denounces the organized violence that the Castro regime inflicts upon the peaceful citizens of Cuba who are simply exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
We encourage the international press to cover this important event, so that the brutality of the regime is exposed.
For more information please visit CANF.
A mob of about 300 orchestrated by the regime’s security forces have surrounded and besieged the group, pushing and insulting them, and attempting to impede their ability to move forward. The Cuban American National Foundation established brief direct phone contact with one of the Ladies, Berta Soler, during the ordeal. Ms. Soler, the wife of political prisoner Angel Moya Acosta, confirmed details of the incident as screams were heard in the background.
There are also reports coming from Cuba that other democratic opposition groups have organized similar peaceful activities which have led to arrests.
The Cuban American National Foundation stands in solidarity with the Ladies in White and denounces the organized violence that the Castro regime inflicts upon the peaceful citizens of Cuba who are simply exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
We encourage the international press to cover this important event, so that the brutality of the regime is exposed.
For more information please visit CANF.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
New rules apply to sending packages to Cuba
New rules apply to sending packages to Cuba
Submitted by DEBRA MITCHELL, U.S. Postal Service
New rules apply to packages being sent to Cuba from the United States. On September 8, 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Federal Register final rule revising existing restrictions on exports of gift parcels. It also authorized exports to Cuba of certain donated consumer communications devices, including certain computers and software, mobile phones, and satellite receivers.
The only U.S. Postal Services available for authorized exports to Cuba are First-Class Mail International, International Priority Airmail, International Surface Air Lift, and the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope and small flat-rate box. All of these services have a maximum weight of 4 pounds.
Eligible gift parcels for Cuba may include any of the following: food (including vitamins); medicines; medical supplies and devices (including hospital supplies and equipment for the handicapped); receive-only radio equipment and batteries; clothing; personal hygiene items; seeds; veterinary medicines and supplies; fishing equipment and supplies; soap-making equipment; and all other items of a type normally sent as gifts between individuals except for certain items prohibited. Items in gift parcels must be in quantities normally given as gifts between individuals.
Even if Commerce Department regulations permit an article to be sent out of the United States in a gift parcel, the article might still be subject to a Cuban import prohibition. Articles included in gift parcels may be subject to detention or seizure upon arrival in Cuba.
A gift parcel must be sent directly to the recipient by the individual donor. Each gift parcel must show, on the outside wrapper, the name and address of the donor, as well as the name and address of the recipient. Each parcel must have the notation "GIFT-Export License Not Required" written on the addressee side of the package and the symbol "GFT" written on any required customs declaration.
Except for gift parcels of food, not more than one gift parcel may be sent from the same donor to the same recipient in any one calendar month. There is no frequency limit on gift parcels of food to Cuba. The combined total domestic retail value of all commodities in a single gift parcel may not exceed $800. This limit does not apply to food sent in a gift parcel.
Submitted by DEBRA MITCHELL, U.S. Postal Service
New rules apply to packages being sent to Cuba from the United States. On September 8, 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Federal Register final rule revising existing restrictions on exports of gift parcels. It also authorized exports to Cuba of certain donated consumer communications devices, including certain computers and software, mobile phones, and satellite receivers.
The only U.S. Postal Services available for authorized exports to Cuba are First-Class Mail International, International Priority Airmail, International Surface Air Lift, and the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope and small flat-rate box. All of these services have a maximum weight of 4 pounds.
Eligible gift parcels for Cuba may include any of the following: food (including vitamins); medicines; medical supplies and devices (including hospital supplies and equipment for the handicapped); receive-only radio equipment and batteries; clothing; personal hygiene items; seeds; veterinary medicines and supplies; fishing equipment and supplies; soap-making equipment; and all other items of a type normally sent as gifts between individuals except for certain items prohibited. Items in gift parcels must be in quantities normally given as gifts between individuals.
Even if Commerce Department regulations permit an article to be sent out of the United States in a gift parcel, the article might still be subject to a Cuban import prohibition. Articles included in gift parcels may be subject to detention or seizure upon arrival in Cuba.
A gift parcel must be sent directly to the recipient by the individual donor. Each gift parcel must show, on the outside wrapper, the name and address of the donor, as well as the name and address of the recipient. Each parcel must have the notation "GIFT-Export License Not Required" written on the addressee side of the package and the symbol "GFT" written on any required customs declaration.
Except for gift parcels of food, not more than one gift parcel may be sent from the same donor to the same recipient in any one calendar month. There is no frequency limit on gift parcels of food to Cuba. The combined total domestic retail value of all commodities in a single gift parcel may not exceed $800. This limit does not apply to food sent in a gift parcel.
Monday, December 7, 2009
CANF MOURNS DEATH OF SENATOR PAULA HAWKINS
CANF MOURNS DEATH OF SENATOR PAULA HAWKINS
FRIEND OF THE CAUSE OF CUBAN FREEDOM
The Cuban American National Foundation mourns the passing of our dear friend Senator Paula Hawkins. Throughout her dynamic career, Senator Hawkins was a champion of many issues from children’s rights to healthcare, and as an organization dedicated to fighting for the freedom of the Cuban people, we were fortunate to have Senator Hawkins as an ally in our particular struggle. She not only understood the issue and empathized with our plight, but she utilized her position within the United States Senate to give a voice to the Cuban people and to shine a light on the true nature of the Cuban regime.
Throughout the years, Senator Hawkins actively participated with the Cuban American National Foundation; one of those most notable was her introduction of then President Ronald Reagan at our Cuban Independence Day event in May of 1983 where she received a standing ovation.
“Senator Hawkins had a unique passion for politics and people that is not easily matched. Today we join her family in mourning her passing; our community has lost a great leader and role model and our cause has certainly lost a great ally but her legacy is one that will live on and be cherished in our community” said Francisco Hernandez, President of the CANF.
Link to Press Release
FRIEND OF THE CAUSE OF CUBAN FREEDOM
The Cuban American National Foundation mourns the passing of our dear friend Senator Paula Hawkins. Throughout her dynamic career, Senator Hawkins was a champion of many issues from children’s rights to healthcare, and as an organization dedicated to fighting for the freedom of the Cuban people, we were fortunate to have Senator Hawkins as an ally in our particular struggle. She not only understood the issue and empathized with our plight, but she utilized her position within the United States Senate to give a voice to the Cuban people and to shine a light on the true nature of the Cuban regime.
Throughout the years, Senator Hawkins actively participated with the Cuban American National Foundation; one of those most notable was her introduction of then President Ronald Reagan at our Cuban Independence Day event in May of 1983 where she received a standing ovation.
“Senator Hawkins had a unique passion for politics and people that is not easily matched. Today we join her family in mourning her passing; our community has lost a great leader and role model and our cause has certainly lost a great ally but her legacy is one that will live on and be cherished in our community” said Francisco Hernandez, President of the CANF.
Link to Press Release
Friday, December 4, 2009
Cuba denounces Honduran elections
Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, referred to the Honduran election results as the installation of a U.S.-supported "dictatorship." I don't want to comment on U.S. policy towards Latin America; rather, I wanted to talk about the wealth of hypocrisy found in Rodriguez' statement.
It is strange to connect legitimate democratic elections with the installation of a dictatorship. Of course democratic elections are perceived to be the road to dictatorship when in the context of Cuba's history, where the government has not once performed a legitimate democratic election in its 50 year control of the country (hint: Having one party on the ballot is not considered legitimate).
The Cuban people can not vote or speak out against the government without fear of repercussions. It is offensive to think that the Cuban government sees itself as anything but a dictatorship of the worst kind.
It is strange to connect legitimate democratic elections with the installation of a dictatorship. Of course democratic elections are perceived to be the road to dictatorship when in the context of Cuba's history, where the government has not once performed a legitimate democratic election in its 50 year control of the country (hint: Having one party on the ballot is not considered legitimate).
The Cuban people can not vote or speak out against the government without fear of repercussions. It is offensive to think that the Cuban government sees itself as anything but a dictatorship of the worst kind.
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