July 16, 1997

From the Darkness of the Cave ­ The Voices of Cuba's Independent Journalists

by Miguel Fernandez Martinez

For several days now I've been thinking about Hector Peraza, about Olance Nogueras, about all the independent journalists who are struggling to exercise their profession here in Cuba. And I keep remembering that one quote of Jose Marti, the Father of our Republic, when he said that a single Truth uttered from the depths of the darkest cave is more powerful than any army.

This turns my thoughts to the recent events on this troubled and isolated island. Hector Peraza is being detained in a police dungeon, thanks to State Security. God only knows what excuse they'll use this time to charge him of some crime and take him to court, where the inevitable outcome will be a guilty verdict and imprisonment, his only and most terrible crime being, like the others, daring to breach the silent walls of State censorship.

In Santiago de Cuba the repressive apparatus has arrested Nicolas Rosario Rozabal. In Cienfuegos they're taking aim against Olance Nogueras. Joaquin Torres, director of HavanaPress, was attacked and beaten cruelly in his own home by the so-called defenders of the Revolution, Socialism and the Fatherland. And the mother of journalist/poet Raul Rivero is continuously threatened by the political police ­ a pressure tactic intended to break his committment to his principles. Lazaro Lazo and Manuel David Orrio are dragged in by the authorities.

Now Lorenzo Paez Nuñez, a correspondent for the Cuban Independent Press Bureau in Artemisa, has been condemned to prison by a lightning-quick trial where not even a minimal legal defense was permitted him.

These are only a few of the more recent events concerning journalists outside the "official" boundaries. Many associate these occurrences with the up-coming XIV World Youth and Students' Festival which will begin in Havana on 28 July. I think that it's nothing more or less than the beginning of an outright campaign of annihilation against the growing underground press which will not let up until all are silenced.

The Festival will come and go, but the repression will continue here on Cuba's streets. As long as there is even one courageous voice raised without first requesting permission, the harassment, persecution and forced exile will continue.

We are immersed in an all-out war. In the depths of this huge, dark cave, we are fated to speak the Truth for all the world to hear, despite the armies unleashed to silence us.

Havana

July 12, 1997