#FreeElSexto: Cuba’s apartheid dictatorship finally releases imprisoned dissident artist

After ten months without a trial in a Cuban gulag for the crime of painting “Fidel” and “Raul” on two pigs, the apartheid Castro dictatorship has finally released dissident artist Danilo “El Sexto” Maldonado. Despite having the full backing and support of President Obama, the Castro regime was unable to withstand the pressure generated by the international outcry to their violent attempt to censor artistic expression.

Nora Gamez Torres has the report in The Miami Herald:

Cuba frees artist ‘El Sexto’

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Cuban artist Danilo Maldonado, better known as “El Sexto” (The Sixth) was released from Cuba’s Valle Grande prison Tuesday morning after being incarcerated without trial for 10 months.

“They arrived at 10 a.m. and took me out of my cell, they took me to gather my belongings and handcuffed me. All of this took about 15 minutes,” Maldonado said in a telephone interview from his home with el Nuevo Herald.

“They told me ‘your release is immediate’ and they warned me ‘please, don’t make the same mistake, you’re being used as a puppet,’ and to not commit acts of immaturity, and all those crazy things. I didn’t respond at all,” said the graffiti artist, who assured that despite his thin frame, he is in good health.

Maldonado said he had resumed a “sit in” and hunger strike on Saturday, when he realized Cuban authorities had not released him from jail on Friday as they had promised.

When it was known Maldonado was still incarcerated, Amnesty International — an organization that declared the young artist as a “prisoner of conscience” — published a harsh editorial in which it criticized the Cuban government for “miserably failing” their promise.

In one of the most notorious artistic censorship cases to take place during the last few years in Cuba, the graffiti artist was jailed for attempting a performance with two pigs he named “Fidel” and “Raul.” He was accused of disorderly conduct but a trial was never held.

While Maldonado was in jail, an international campaign clamoring for his liberation started growing strong. While in jail, Maldonado said he experienced the same conditions and scarcities as all prisoners.

“I was in a double-walled cell for 22 days. The key for the lock was held by the official on guard, so if you faint, the guard of the cell has to go and look for the key,” he said in reference to his first hunger strike. “The conditions are extreme in order to break you.”

The graffiti artist thanked the media, which covered his case as well as the activists, opposition leaders and international organizations who fought for his release. “Without a doubt, I would still be in jail [without their help] so I thank every person who did something to achieve my liberation,” he said.

Maldonado promised to continue his work and confessed that while he’s planning to take a break to spend time with his daughter, it doesn’t “mean that I will slack off.”

Continue reading HERE.

Latrine to the extreme: Rafael Correa challenges critic to a fistfight

Aaaaah!  It can’t get more comical or tragic or Latrine than this.

A Latin American head of state has challenged a man who dared to criticize him to mano-a-mano combat.

Rafael “Macho Man” Correa of Ecuador wins this year’s Maximum Latrine Clown prize.

Runner-ups Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and Evo Morales of Bolivia didn’t even come close.

Argentina’s Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, another contender for the prize, is rumored have challenged Queen Elizabeth of England to a Jell-O wrestling match for possession of the Falkland Islands.  But the rumor — despite its ring of truth  –remains unconfirmed.

Rafael-Correa-el-payaso

From The Washington Post:

Ecuador’s president literally wants to fight a politician who criticized him

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador is a studly man of irreproachable judgment and superlative masculinity, and don’t doubt it, punk, or else.

That pretty much sums up a looming showdown in Ecuador, where opposition lawmaker Andrés Páez this week accepted the president’s challenge to fight him mano-a-mano, saying he was ready “to defend the country with my fists and my life.”

This sort of conflict resolution model sends a dubious message to the impressionable children of Ecuador, sure. But by now every man, woman and child in the country knows better than to mock the president.

He has threatened to put political cartoonists in jail for it, inviting this ribbing from HBO’s John Oliver. In May, Correa halted his motorcade to berate a teenager who flipped him the bird from the sidewalk, punishing the kid with 20 hours of community service. Then there was that time in the middle of a police revolt when Correa ripped open his shirt to expose his bare chest, daring somebody to take a shot.

He is muy, muy macho. Especially on social media.

Continue reading HERE.

After visit to Cuba, an open letter to Katy Perry

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John Suarez in Notes from the Cuban Exile Quarter:

An open letter to Katy Perry asking for help

An appeal to save two lives

Dear Katy Perry,

I have enjoyed your music over the years and your commitment to human rights issues. Especially the time you spent curating the Art for Freedom Project in January of 2014, an initiative that promotes art and free speech as a means to address persecution and injustice around the world. I also saw in the news that you’ve visited Cuba twice over the past week and met with Mariela Castro, dictator Raul Castro’s daughter, while you were there.

Cuban human rights defenders need your help and with your access to the upper echelons of power in the Castro regime perhaps you are in a position to save the life of a human rights defender, and free an imprisoned artist. This dictatorship has had a track record of responding to requests by high profile visitors that in the past has resulted in the freeing of political prisoners and human rights defenders who are deathly ill.

The human rights situation in Cuba is deteriorating. The level of violence against human rights defenders has escalated in recent years on the island, along with the extrajudicial killings of national human rights figures. A dramatic example of this took place on on July 22, 2012 when state security killed Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Harold Cepero Escalante.

Presently there is an environment of impunity in Cuba that could be impacted upon by your good offices. There are two urgent cases you could raise with the individuals you met in Cuba that would make a difference and most likely save two lives and favorably affect many more.

Continue reading HERE.

Reports from Cuba: PIGS!

By Mario Lleonart in Translating Cuba:

PIGS!

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Drawing by El Sexto of the piglets he intended to release in a street performance in Havana.

For the second time they have lied about a release date for prisoner-of-conscience (so designated by Amnesty International) Danilo Maldonado, better known by his artistic name “El Sexto” (The Sixth). First they announced his release for August 24. Then for September 15. But now we know they lied disgracefully on both occasions.

The regime’s own behavior regarding this prisoner of conscience shows the relevance of the performance that he intended to put on when they arrested him last December: “Animal Farm.” They behaved like pigs, just as he thought. His crime was to have the courage to label them with exactly that description: PIGS! There is something Biblical about this!

When Christ cast out the legion of demons in Gadara, they took over a herd of pigs that rushed into the sea, and there could not be a better judgment against the Roman Empire. Jesus himself called Herod “FOX!” The theological symbolism in the sacred texts whenever pigs are mentioned, with their classification as unclean animals, is well known.

The young graffiti artist El Sexto, detached, and sometimes even rejected from self-righteous church circles, has dared to do what all Christians should have done a long time ago—shout prophetically! But he has given new meaning to Christ’s words: if you are silent, the stones will cry out.

God bless all those who in an upcoming round of the #TodosMarchamos campaign will raise their voices for all political prisoners or prisoners of conscience who like El Sexto are victims of all kinds of harassment in Cuban prisons. God bless even more those like Danilo who dare to shout “pigs” at the tyrants. God have mercy on those who are silent and become accomplices by their silence.

Women of courage in Cuba and Iran betrayed by the U.S. and the media

George Phillips at the Gatestone Institute:

Women of Courage Betrayed by U.S. and the Media

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Pope Francis, on his recent trip to Cuba, failed to embrace publicly the world famous “Ladies in White” (“Damas de Blanco”) — the wives and relatives of Cuba’s jailed dissidents.

“Ladies in White” was formed by Berta Soler in 2003 after 75 human rights activists and journalists were sent to prison by the Cuban government. The men in their family had been jailed for being activists. The “Ladies in White” were peacefully calling for their release.

This year, for twenty straight Sundays between April and August, members of the “Ladies in White” were arrested as well — for leading protests against the Castro regime for having imprisoned their family members and for suppressing human rights.

These women have also been routinely harassed and beaten during their peaceful efforts to stand for freedom.

On September 20, on their way to a special meeting with Pope Francis in Cuba, Berta Soler and her husband were arrested by police. An additional 20 members of the “Ladies in White” were also arrested to prevent them from attending the papal mass in Havana.

Berta Soler and the other “Lades in White” have been ignored by the Obama Administration – bypassed year after year as one of the ten women honored by the U.S. Department of State at its annual Women of Courage Award.

Iranian women have also largely been bypassed for this honor. As members of the Obama Administration move forward with the policy of engagement with the brutal regimes in Havana and Tehran, it is important not to forget the courageous people, including women, who oppose them.

Continue reading HERE.

Cuba’s cash strapped apartheid dictatorship demands credit from the U.S. taxpayers

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President Obama may very well consider the ridiculous demands of Cuba’s apartheid regime as the Audacity of Hope, but in reality, the criminal and corrupt Castro dictatorship’s – well known for its propensity to never pay back loans – is nothing short of the Audacity of Contemptuousness.

Via Capitol Hill Cubans:

Cuba in Cash Crunch (Again), Seeks Credit (Again), Now Wants Obama to Deliver

The following article highlights the absurdity of Obama’s Cuba policy.

In sum:

— There is only one client in Cuba for foreign trade – Castro’s monopolies;

— Castro has recently received generous subsidies (from Venezuela), debt relief and forgiveness (from Russia, China, Mexico and Uruguay) and credit terms and agreements (from Japan, Germany, France and corruptly from Brazil);

— Despite this, Castro’s “broke” (again);

— Now Castro seeks even more generous credit terms (to salvage his regime); and

— Obama would like to bail Castro out.

Fortunately, Congress stands in the way, as financing for Castro’s regime is specifically prohibited by U.S. law.

From Reuters:

Cuba in cash crunch due to low commodity prices, Venezuela woes

Low commodity prices, a drought at home and Venezuela’s economic crisis have created a cash shortage for Cuba’s Communist government, restricting its ability to trade just as it could be taking advantage of an economic opening with the United States.

State companies have cut imports and are seeking longer payment terms from suppliers, diplomats and foreign business people say.

The cash crunch, combined with Cuba’s hesitancy to embrace a recent softening of the U.S. economic embargo, demonstrate some of the complications U.S. companies face in Cuba even though Washington is chipping away at the sanctions.

The Caribbean island’s cash flow has been cut by low prices for nickel, one of its leading exports, as well as for oil.

Cuba receives oil on favorable terms from Venezuela and refines and resells some of it in a joint venture with its socialist ally. But prices for refined products are down in tandem with crude.

“There is no money,” said the foreign director of a manufacturing firm in a joint venture with Cuba. Like others interviewed for this story, the director wished to remain anonymous to avoid annoying the government.

Comments about the liquidity shortage are echoed by others doing business with Cuba even with tourism up 17 percent this year.

“Cuba is clearly feeling the squeeze,” said the commercial attache of one of the country’s top trading partners. “They are falling behind on some payments and asking suppliers for credit terms of 365 days or longer, compared with 90 days to 180 days.”

Economy Minister Marino Murillo, speaking to the National Assembly in July, said export revenue had been less than expected and “adjustments” would be made.

Identifying those adjustments is difficult as Cuba’s finances are opaque. It is not a member of any international lending organization and the local currency has no value abroad.

Amnesty International: The unlikely chance of a serious human rights debate in Cuba

For the likes of President Obama and Pope Francis, the safety and protection of Cuba’s murderous and violently repressive apartheid regime is more important than the safety and protection of Cuba’s oppressed people.

Via Amnesty International:

The unlikely chance of a serious human rights debate in Cuba

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Nearly a month since Pope Francis ended his historic visit to Cuba, any hope that authorities would loosen control on free expression in the country is fading as fast as the chants that welcomed him.

At the start of his tour, Pope Francis said Cuba had an opportunity to “open itself to the world”. He urged young people in the country to have open minds and hearts, and to be willing to engage in a dialogue with those who “think differently”.

Cubans listened, but the government didn’t.

Instead, the Cuban authorities continued to prevent human rights activists from expressing their dissenting views.

According to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an independent organization, in 2014 there was an average of 741 arbitrary detentions each month.

Last September, during the month of the Pope´s visit, the number increased even further, with 882 arbitrary detentions registered.

Activists Zaqueo Baez Guerrero, Ismael Bonet Rene and María Josefa Acón Sardinas, members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unión Patriótica de Cuba, UNPACU), a dissident group, are three of the activists detained. They were arrested on 20th September after they crossed a security line in Havana as they attempted to talk to the Pope and have been held in prison since then.

They are believed to be charged with contempt (“desacato”), resistance (“resistencia”) violence or intimidation against a state official (“atentado”), and public disorder (“disorden publico”). If convicted, they face prison sentences of between three and eight years.

The crackdown seems to have escalated since the Pope left the country.

On Sunday 11 October, hundreds of human rights activists and dissidents, including members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba and of the group Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) were arbitrarily arrested and detained on their way to peaceful protests organized across the country calling for the release of the activists and prisoners of conscience.

The Patriotic Union of Cuba is one of the organizations reporting the highest number of detentions.

One activist recently told me how a bus carrying him and 29 other people was stopped on the way to the city of Santiago de Cuba by 40 police officers.

“They took us off the bus one by one and threatened us with blows and imprisonment. I was taken in a jeep and left somewhere remote and had to walk for various miles to get home,” he said.

Continue reading HERE.

National Association of Broadcasters heading to apartheid Cuba for Stalinist broadcasting conference

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Our good friend Liz Mair brought this small item buried in Politico’s Morning Tech section to our attention: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is heading to apartheid Cuba next week for a “broadcasting” conference being held by the Stalinist Castro regime. NAB VP Margaret Cassilly is besides herself for the chance to rub elbows with Castro propagandists. Ms. Cassilly apparently believes this is an “extraordinary opportunity” for the U.S. media industry to sell its wares to Cuba’s totalitarian dictatorship.

Since 1959, the Castro dictatorship has had an iron grip on all media on the island. The regime has not allowed free expression for more than five decades and routinely jails independent journalists, librarians, and artists who dare to criticize or challenge their murderous and repressive dictatorship. Sounds like a great opportunity indeed.

U.S. BROADCASTERS LOOK TOWARD CUBA — The pilgrimage of D.C. tech and media executives to Cuba continues, this time it’s Margaret Cassilly of the National Association of Broadcasters, who’ll head to Havana next week for the Cuban Radio & Television International Conference & Exposition which starts next Friday. “This trip presents an extraordinary opportunity to open doors and facilitate future business opportunities for both Cuban broadcasters and U.S. suppliers in the media and entertainment industry,” said Cassilly, NAB’s vice president VP of international programs. The expedition is being organized by the New York-based consulting firm Cuban Strategic Partnerships.

Reports from Cuba: Laughing at the Castros, a mortal sin

Victor Manuel Dominguez in Translating Cuba:

Laughing at the Castros, a Mortal Sin

For the Cuban government, when satire is against the “enemy,” it is useful and refreshing. Otherwise it is subversive

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Eleuterio, character in the play “Crematorium”

Cubanet.org, Victor Manuel Dominguez, Havana, 15 October 2015 – In a country where joking, sarcasm, satire, mockery, in sum, any kind of humor, are more daily than our stunted, acidic, furry and greenish daily bread, the authorities become tense and wage war on any joke large or small that unleashes laughter.

Apparently, political and economic control, leftovers for citizens and other deeds by a Revolution in power, prevent them from chuckling, laughing or even cracking a smile that allows them to resemble a human being and not the miserable lout who fears a raspberry more than the Devil on the cross.

According to the article, A Very Serious Joke, published in the State newspaper Granma by Sergio Alejandro Gomez, the Office of Cuban Broadcasting (OCB) from the United States, is prepared to finance an act of subversion in Cuba, in the form of a satirical program.

Mocked Mockers

For the information and serenity of the “de-humarized” spokesman, if “humor is the gentler of despair,” as Oscar Wilde said, we Cubans are the friendly gentlemen of the joke, the courteous knights of mockery, and the attentive guests of parody, in a country where one laughs in order not to cry.

And if not even Jorge Manach himself, with his Investigation of Mockery, could prevent us Cubans from laughing at ourselves, still less will a bitter dictator be able to do it, a lap dog with an anemic smile or anyone who publicly censors humor because of fear and locks himself away in order to laugh.

Besides, there is no one like the Cuban authorities for inciting mockery as long they are not mocked. From the beginning of the Revolution, the magazine Mella and the Juventud Rebelde supplement, El Sable, began to satirize the American people, their government and their way of life.

Marcos Behmaras, in his Salacious Stories from Reader’s Indigestion and Other Tales mocked them with “a fresh and suggestive humor, a tone in keeping with our character, but always provoking reflection by means of accurate, witty satire through a sense of humor that always attacks deeply, not remaining on the surface,” according to “joke-ologist” Aleida Lilraldi Rodriguez.

Which is to say that when satire is directed at the other, the enemy, it is useful and refreshing. Otherwise, it is subversive. If Marcos Behmaras had trained his satirical guns at olive-green prudishness and excessive modesty, the salacious stories would have fallen on him like a flood of party membership cards.

His brilliant satirical articles Is It Worth It Having Money?, Those Happy Ones Dead from Hunger, by “Miss Mona P. Chugga” Eisenhower’s Trip: Failure or Triumph? by “Mary Wanna,” or Are You a Potential Psychopath? by “Doctor John Toasted” would have gotten him condemned to death for joking.

A Hanging Offense

To illustrate even further what a joke, satire or any other kind of humor costs when it is aimed at a totalitarian regime, let’s remember, incidentally, that The Joke (1961), a novel by Czech writer Milan Kindera, was described as “the Bible of the counter-revolution.” Another of his works, The Book of Laughter and Forgetfulness, got him stripped of his nationality. Tolerant, no?

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