Embassy Events

Cuban dissidents gather in Havana to discuss their struggle with Slovak audience

Embassy, Slovak Activists Encourage Cuban Dissidents

April 3, 2007 

On April 3 forty Slovaks from the government, parliament, NGOs and student organizations gathered in the Embassy to speak with twenty Cuban dissidents in Havana by web meeting. The occasion allowed participants to discuss issues of political dissent, ranging from peaceful resistance to wrongful imprisonment. The Cuban dissidents earned applause from the Slovaks, who exhorted them to "continue the struggle." The Cubans, gathered in the house of an American diplomat in Havana, repeatedly expressed their thanks for the willingness of the Slovaks to share experiences and hopes.

Former Slovak dissident Miroslav Kusy and student activists, such as Filip Vagac, Anton Popovic and Zuzana Mistrikova, described opposing the former regime and transitioning to democracy in Czechoslovakia. Equally meaningful to the Cuban dissidents was learning about Slovak awareness and support for the Cubans' fight. Working in an information vacuum, the Cubans were heartened to hear that their cause is known and supported outside of their country.

One question to the Slovaks: "What happened to the Communists after the revolution? Are they still among you?" The reply that former oppressors are living and working in Slovak society today was surprising to the Cubans. The Slovaks explained that the cycle of oppression had to break, that retaliation was not the path to democracy. Cementing this theme, the Slovaks recommended that the Cubans learn as much as possible about individual rights and responsibilities and the rule of law to prepare for the day they can begin to build their own democracy.

For their part, the Slovaks asked the Cubans directly what they could do to help support their cause. The Cubans responded that continued moral and financial support when possible would do much. The moderator pointed out that members of the Slovak audience had made trips to Cuba carrying money and encouragement for the democratic cause.

The Cuban dissidents gathered in Havana were: Ahmed Rodriguez Albacia of the Young People against Censorship (JSC), Belinda Garcia (JSC), Ricardo Rodriguez Borrego of the Alternative Republican Movement (ARM), Edgard Lopez Moreno of the Marti Youth Coalition (CJM), Orlando Valdespino Mont (CJM), Caridad Martin Garcia (CJM), Alexander Decon Perez (CJM), Giselle Fernandez Estrada (CJM), Antoine Clemente Hernandez (CJM), Livan Ruiz Brito (CJM), Yunieles Rivera Mena (CJM), Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy, Alvaro Yero Felipe of the Cuban Human Rights Foundation, Yeney Santiuste Garcia- a Ladies in White Supporter - and Ignacio Estrada of the Cuban Human Rights Foundation.