Cuba Cracks Down On Bloggers

Havana-based writer Yoani Sanchez was recently named by Time magazine as one the 100 most influential people in the world, and she won the 2008 Ortega y Gasset award for digital journalism. But that didn't stop Cuban authorities from directly threatening her with jail last week.

Or maybe that's precisely why the dictatorial Cuban regime finds the 33-year-old Sanchez so intolerable. Her lyrically and masterfully written blog, Generacion Y, is the most prominent online site in Cuba--if such a thing even exists. Access to the Internet is severely restricted there, and the Havana government shows no hesitation in censoring a long list of sites, including Sanchez's.

Now things are getting even tighter. Just as Sanchez was preparing to travel to the western edge of the island to participate in a first-ever two-day blogging workshop this past weekend, she was summoned to appear before state security officials. She posted the police warrant on her blog and then detailed the tongue lashing and direct threat she received when she showed up at the police station.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[shamrock88]

How dare she critizises Castro the Island's warden?!

[rmm4402]

Where's Sean Penn when you need him??????????

I'm sure if he spoke to Uncle FIdel about this - the whole thing could be cleared up quickly.

[pinkindian]

I want read how she feels. not the author.

[Palemoon]

I find it curious that she claims she is being repressed, shut out of the internet, freedom of speech not allowed, etc.

Yet, she pretty much says anything she wants on her blog. I've checked it out. There are things critical of the government, not only on her blog, but several other Cuban based blogs as well. I'm curious why they picked her as the face of the Cuban blogosphere. Pretty face?

I think she might have a better case if, when we tried to get there, we would get the messages like "Page not found" or "IP Blocked".

Make no mistake, she is certainly not living in China. In China, she would already be in a torture chamber with plans to spend the rest of her life in some far away gulag for saying half the things she says on her blog. Just the ability to use YouTube, which she has dozens of videos on there, would be enough for criminal sanctions in China. Even being shot.

In regards to her mentioning the legal harassment, like parking tickets, etc. That stuff goes on in the USA all the time. You piss off one of the local yocal's, you too will find yourself in radar traps left and right, parking tickets, dead cat, etc.

It should be pointed out. The US Government does not restrict travel to Communist, oppressive China. But the US Government does restrict travel to Socialist, controversial, Cuba.

Why is that?

[AmandaBC]

"It should be pointed out. The US Government does not restrict travel to Communist, oppressive China. But the US Government does restrict travel to Socialist, controversial, Cuba.

Why is that?"

Sheer hypocrisy.

[Hawka]

It's called the economy. Not exactly like we have the best relations with China on matters of civil rights, but economic depression isn't exactly something that would do anything to help either. Can't always change everything everywhere, but its a lot better then doing nothing in regards to the situation at all.

[AmandaBC]

Sheer hypo_crisy.

[Ramirez]

That was some serious moral equivalency, even by HuffPo standards.

[antiprop1]

Because of the political power of right wing Cuban emigres. Florida is an important electoral swing state and anti-Castro politicians are powerful. As economically dominant as China is, Chinese Americans are not emotionally tied to their former country.

[deepintheheartoftejas]

Re: "I think she might have a better case if, when we tried to get there, we would get the messages like "Page not found" or "IP Blocked"."

The article says the blog is hosted internationally, to avoid censorship.

[DAdvocate123]

What?! You mean Cuba taking away freedom of speech? But, at least they have great healthcare.

[RightWingMarine]

yeah so great that when Castro needed a doctor, and as dictator he could had the best of the nation available to him, he brought in a doctor from Spain.

[Ramirez]

Cuba healthcare is good enough for the people but the leader deserves the best from the West.

[Destin]

I am impressed by the comments posted on the original article. And one interesting thing, the award comes from Germany. Not from the USA. I don't know what to make of this woman yet, other than she is controversial on both sides of the fence. Seems neither side knows whether to fully trust her or not.

[steamboat]

Thats not the point Destin......Its not about do we trust her, do we agree with her, etc., etc., etc......It is about her BASIC RIGHTS to say what she wants to say, freedom to express herself. Which people like you and me take for granted. In Cuba, these basic rights are not guaranteed to anybody.

[sclucie]

Send it to Sean Penn.

[Cogitoe]

You beat me to it. I was thinking the same thing. I am reminded of all of the left leaning, but quite intelligent and decent people, who fell for Stalin's nonsense. Sean, use your gifts for good. Add your voice to those who believe in freedom.