LET'S FIGHT BACK

LET'S FIGHT BACK
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Friday, December 30, 2016

Netanyahu: Kerry drew “false moral equivalence” between Jerusalem construction and Palestinian jihad terrorism

Netanyahu: Kerry drew “false moral equivalence” between Jerusalem construction and Palestinian jihad terrorism

Spain: Snipers and armed police to guard public areas amid jihad terror fears

Spain: Snipers and armed police to guard public areas amid jihad terror fears

Obama administration lied, exposed as architect of anti-Israel UN action

Obama administration lied, exposed as architect of anti-Israel UN action

Guinea President: “Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Indeed, Islam is a religion of peace.”

Guinea President: “Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Indeed, Islam is a religion of peace.”

Hamas thrilled that Obama let UN pass anti-Israel resolution

Hamas thrilled that Obama let UN pass anti-Israel resolution

CULTURAL REPRESSION IN CUBA IS PERSISTENT AND EVEN DEADLY

Mail from CubaArchive.org
 
View this email in your browser

Ver versión en español abajo.
CULTURAL REPRESSION IN CUBA IS PERSISTENT AND EVEN DEADLY

Danilo Maldonado, El Sexto
On November 26th, 33-year old Cuban graffiti artist and human rights’ activist Danilo Maldonado, known as El Sexto (The Sixth), was arrested hours after Fidel Castro’s death was announced. He had painted graffiti on city walls including that of the Habana Libre Hotel that read “se fue” (“he’s gone”). Since his arrest, Maldonado has been beaten repeatedly by authorities, held naked in solitary confinement for several days, and had drugs added to his food. He is currently held in inhumane conditions at the Combinado del Este high security prison in Havana. According to Cubalex, a Cuban NGO denied official recognition, El Sexto’s detention is arbitrary and illegal, as painting graffiti constitutes an infraction calling for just a $100 to $300 Cuban peso fine.
 
Renown U.S. human rights’ lawyer Kimberley Motley flew to Havana to offer legal assistance to Maldonado, but was detained December 16th with two Cuba activists, punk rock artist Gorki Aguila and Luis Alberto Marino, as they prepared to hold a press conference outside the Provincial Court in Havana. Motley was interrogated and expelled from the country.
 
El Sexto has been arrested and imprisoned several times for his artistic expressions; he sees his graffiti as a form of protest against the Castro regime’s abuses. On Christmas Day 2014, for instance, he was detained on his way to a public park in Havana, where he planned to stage a performance titled “Rebellion in the Farm” that mocked the Castro regime by releasing two pigs he had named “Fidel” and “Raúl” for the public to catch. His envisioned exhibit melded a Cuban Christmas tradition with ideas from George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm. For this audacity, El Sexto spent ten months in prison, sleeping on the floor for months because there was no bed for him. During his imprisonment, he was selected as a 2015 winner of the Human Rights Foundation's Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent, awarded at the annual Oslo Freedom Forum.
 
Call to action
The Interamerican Commissiom on Human Rights, Freedom House, and Human Rights Watch have called for El Sexto´s release. Amnesty International has issued an Urgent Action Alert on his behalf with detailed instructions on how to contact Cuban authorities. Please see http://www.amnestyusa.org/get-involved/take-action-now/urgent-action-update-demand-release-of-cuban-graffiti-artist-cuba-ua-27316
 
REPRESSION OF ARTISTS IN CUBA IS LONGSTANDING AND CAN BE DEADLY
Cultural repression has persisted for almost six decades in Cuba. In a June 1961 meeting with Cuban intellectuals, Fidel Castro clearly enunciated the persisting dogma: “Within the revolution, everything; outside the revolution, nothing.” As a result, all cultural and intellectual activity in Cuba is strictly censored and many artists, writers, teachers, and intellectuals have suffered arbitrary political detentions and imprisonment as well as even death at the hands of the Castro dictatorship. We recall two emblematic cases.

Jose Ramón Guit Cruz was killed by police March 1971 in the city of Camagüey. The 16-year old
first got into trouble with the authorities for painting graffiti on city walls of his alias 'Agapito' (for Eros, the Greek god of love). He was arrested on trumped-up charges of painting anti-Castro slogans. This arrest radicalized him and he started to organize public protests. After several arrests, he was shot dead by police. At his funeral, there was a large public protest and the government sent tanks to the streets.

Four decades later, cultural repression took another young victim. On June 26, 2015, the 33-year old plastic artist Addys Alberto Calzadilla Rodríguez committed suicide in Holguin due to police harassment. He had painted the word "Fidel" with his blood before slitting his throat.







BEST WISHES IN THE NEW YEAR 
We realize our mailings are the antithesis of the cheer expected for the season, however, we are very thankful for doing this meaningful work defending human rights and honoring the victims of totalitarianism. As the year comes to an end, we thank you all, our sponsors, friends, and readers, for your support and wish you many blessings in 2017. May there be peace and goodwill everywhere.
We need your support to continue this work
Please make a donation, visit our How to Help page, and help
disseminate this work by sharing it with your contacts.
www.CubaArchive.org
Cuba Archive’s Truth and Memory Project documents the loss of life resulting from the Cuban
revolution and studies transitional issues of truth, memory and justice.
If you do not wish to receive our mailings, please reply with “Unsubscribe."

LA REPRESION CULTURAL EN CUBA ES PERSISTENTE Y HASTA MORTAL

El 26 de noviembre, el pintor grafitero cubano y activista de derechos humanos de 33 años, Danilo Maldonado, conocido como El Sexto, fue arrestado horas después de anunciada la muerte de Fidel Castro. Había pintado grafiti en paredes de La Habana, incluyendo del Hotel Habana Libre, que leía "se fue." Maldonado ha sido golpeado repetidamente por las autoridades, fue puesto en aislamiento y desnudo durante varios días, y le han añadido drogas a su comida. Actualmente se encuentra preso en condiciones inhumanas en la prisión de alta seguridad Combinado del Este en La Habana.
 
Según la ONG cubana Cubalex, a quien se le niega reconocimiento oficial, la detención preventiva del Sexto es arbitraria e ilegal. Pintar grafiti constituye una infracción contra el ornato público que solamente conlleva una multa de $100 a $300 pesos cubanos.
 
La reconocida abogada de derechos humanos Kimberley Motley viajó a La Habana para ofrecer asistencia legal a Maldonado, pero fue detenida el 16 de diciembre con dos activistas cubanos, el artista de rock Gorki Aguila y Luis Alberto Marino, mientras se preparaban para una conferencia de prensa en las afueras del Juzgado Provincial de La Habana. Motley fue interrogada y expulsada del país.
 
El Sexto utiliza el grafiti como una forma de protesta contra los abusos del régimen de los Castro y ha sido detenido y encarcelado varias veces por sus expresiones artísticas. El día de Navidad de 2014, por ejemplo, fue detenido cuando iba en camino del Parque Central, un parque público de La Habana, donde pretendía realizar una actuación titulada "Rebelión en la Granja." Trataba de una burla inspirada en George Orwell y su libro La Granja de los Animales que mezclaba una tradición navideña cubana de dejar escapar cerdos para que las personas los atrapen. El Sexto iba a liberar dos cerdos que había nombrado "Fidel" y "Raúl." Por su audacia, pasó diez meses en prisión, durmiendo en el piso durante meses porque no había cama para él. Durante su encarcelamiento, fue seleccionado ganador para el 2015 del premio Václav Havel de Disidencia Creativa, otorgado por la Fundación de Derechos Humanos en el Foro de la Libertad de Oslo que se realiza anualmente en esa ciudad.
 
Llamado a la acción
La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, Freedom House, y Human Rights Watch han pedido que se libere a El Sexto. Amnistía Internacional ha emitido una Alerta de Acción Urgente en su nombre con instrucciones detalladas sobre cómo ponerse en contacto con las autoridades cubanas. Vea http://www.amnestyusa.org/get-involved/take-action-now/urgent-action-update-demand-release-of-cuban-graffiti-artist-cuba-ua-27316
 
LA REPRESIÓN DE ARTISTAS EN CUBA ES LA NORMA Y PUEDE SER FATAL
En junio de 1961, Fidel Castro enunció claramente la represión cultural que ha persistido durante décadas en Cuba. En una reunión con intelectuales cubanos, declaró: "Dentro de la revolución, todo; fuera de la revolución, nada." Aparte de la estricta censura que rige en Cuba sobre toda actividad cultural e intelectual, artistas, escritores, maestros e intelectuales has sufrido detenciones arbitrarias y encarcelamiento político e incluso la muerte a manos de la dictadura castrista. Recordamos dos casos emblemáticos.
 
José Ramón Guit Cruz fue asesinado por la policía en marzo de 1971 en la ciudad de Camagüey. El joven de 16 años pintó su apodo, Agapito (dios griego del amor), en los muros de la ciudad y fue arrestado al atribuírsele, falsamente, haber pintado letreros antigubernamentales. Su arresto lo radicalizó y comenzó a organizar demostraciones públicas contra el régimen. Se le arrestó varias veces y, finalmente, fue asesinado a tiros por la policía. Su funeral se convirtió en una protesta pública masiva que el gobierno sofocó enviando tanques a las calles.
 
Más de cuatro décadas más tarde, la estricta represión cultural cobró otra joven víctima. El artista plástico Addys Alberto Calzadilla Rodríguez, de 33 años, se suicidó el 26 de junio del 2015 en Holguín por causa del acoso policial. El joven se cortó la garganta después de escribir con su sangre el nombre “Fidel.”
 





NUESTROS MEJORES DESEOS EN EL AÑO NUEVO
Reconocemos que nuestros envíos son la antítesis de la alegría que caracteriza la época festiva. Sin embargo, estamos muy agradecidos de poder hacer este trabajo en defensa de los derechos humanos y de honrar a las víctimas del totalitarismo. Al llegar este año a su fin, agradecemos el apoyo de ustedes, nuestros patrocinadores, amigos y lectores, y les deseamos muchas bendiciones en el 2017. Que reine la paz y la buena voluntad.
Necesitamos su apoyo para continuar nuestra labor
Por favor haga un donativo, vea la sección “Cómo Ayudar”
en nuestro portal y distribuya este trabajo a sus contactos.


Archivo Cuba Proyecto de Verdad y Memoria documenta la pérdida en vidas causada por la revolución cubana y estudia la justicia transicional  —memoria-verdad-justicia.
www.ArchivoCuba.org


Si no desea recibir nuestros envíos esporádicos, por favor escriba "Retirar" en un correo de vuelta.
Facebook
Website
Twitter
Copyright © 2016 Free Society Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

info@CubaArchive.org

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12/29/16 | Fox News | December 29, 2016

Hannity 12/29/16 | Fox News | December 29, 2016

The Savage Nation - December 29 2016 FULL SHOW (Lou Pate fills in for Mi...

Alex Jones (FULL SHOW Commercial Free) Thursday 12/29/16: Roger Stone, J...

The Rush Limbaugh Show PODCAST December 30, 2016

Thursday, December 29, 2016

China: Muslims drive car into government building and set off bomb, killing one person

China: Muslims drive car into government building and set off bomb, killing one person

Texas: Muslim indicted for plotting to kill Obama and “be martyred in the name of Allah”

Texas: Muslim indicted for plotting to kill Obama and “be martyred in the name of Allah”

UK Muslim held teen girl as sex slave for 13 years, sold her four children

UK Muslim held teen girl as sex slave for 13 years, sold her four children

UK Muslim held teen girl as sex slave for 13 years, sold her four children

UK Muslim held teen girl as sex slave for 13 years, sold her four children

Islamic State: “We will make your New Year mayhem with bombings and trampling attacks”

Islamic State: “We will make your New Year mayhem with bombings and trampling attacks”

Jihad Watch – Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Jihad Watch – Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Obama administration now bringing in 290 Muslim migrants every day

Obama administration now bringing in 290 Muslim migrants every day

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12 28 16 | Fox News December 28 2016

Daily Listening | HANNITY | Wednesday 12/28/16 | Kerry Criticizes Israel...

The Savage Nation - December 28 2016 [HOUR 2, HOUR 3] Lou Pate fills in ...

INFOWARS Rebroadcast The Alex Jones Show 28-12-16 Subscribe to prisonpla...

The Rush Limbaugh Show PODCAST - December 28 - 2016

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Hamas-linked CAIR’s Los Angeles top dog wishes more people had been killed in Russian plane crash

Hamas-linked CAIR’s Los Angeles top dog wishes more people had been killed in Russian plane crash

Danish government pays welfare to Islamic State jihadis, expects them to return payments

Danish government pays welfare to Islamic State jihadis, expects them to return payments

UK: Muslim “refugee” charged with Islamic State jihad massacre plot

UK: Muslim “refugee” charged with Islamic State jihad massacre plot

Switzerland: Muslim attacks Christians on way to Christmas mass, one dead, three injured

Switzerland: Muslim attacks Christians on way to Christmas mass, one dead, three injured

Italy: Schoolchildren banned from singing “Silent Night” for fear of offending Muslims

Italy: Schoolchildren banned from singing “Silent Night” for fear of offending Muslims

Palestinian “Santa Clauses” throw rocks at Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem

Palestinian “Santa Clauses” throw rocks at Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem

Archbishop of Vienna: Muslim migrant crisis “goes well beyond our capacity and ability…our country is worried”

Archbishop of Vienna: Muslim migrant crisis “goes well beyond our capacity and ability…our country is worried”

Popular Muslim preacher Zakir Naik: “Wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ to Christians is Worst Evil, Worse Than Fornication or Murder”

Popular Muslim preacher Zakir Naik: “Wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ to Christians is Worst Evil, Worse Than Fornication or Murder”

Hamas-linked CAIR’s Hooper: US Muslims suffering from “mental health issues” that cause them to fake hate crimes

Hamas-linked CAIR’s Hooper: US Muslims suffering from “mental health issues” that cause them to fake hate crimes

President-Elect Trump Statement on the Passing of Fidel Castro

President-Elect Trump Statement on the Passing of Fidel Castro

WaPo: Farewell to Cuba’s Brutal Big Brother

WaPo: Farewell to Cuba’s Brutal Big Brother

N.Y. Post Editorial: Castro’s Rotting in Hell, But Cuba’s Not Free Yet

N.Y. Post Editorial: Castro’s Rotting in Hell, But Cuba’s Not Free Yet

WSJ Editorial: Fidel Castro's Communist Example

WSJ Editorial: Fidel Castro's Communist Example

Statement on the Passing of Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro

Statement on the Passing of Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12/26/16 | Fox News | December 26, 2016

Daily Listening | HANNITY | Monday, 12/26/16 | Trump's Promises

The Savage Nation- Michael Savage- December 26th, 2016 (Full Show)

Alex Jones (FULL SHOW Commercial Free) Monday 12/26/16: Special After Ch...

Rush Limbaugh Show December 26,2016 Podcast

Sunday, December 25, 2016

University of Maryland: Muslim students demand prayer rooms in every ‘major building,’ shuttles to local mosque

University of Maryland: Muslim students demand prayer rooms in every ‘major building,’ shuttles to local mosque

Tunisians protest against return of Islamic State jihad terrorists from abroad

Tunisians protest against return of Islamic State jihad terrorists from abroad

“They asked me to convert to Islam, but I told them I will die a Christian and they can kill me if they want”

“They asked me to convert to Islam, but I told them I will die a Christian and they can kill me if they want”

Jihad Watch – Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Jihad Watch – Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Indonesia: Christmas ornament found bearing word “Allah,” Muslims outraged, hotel shut down

Indonesia: Christmas ornament found bearing word “Allah,” Muslims outraged, hotel shut down

Death to the vase! Iran military parade turns awkward as special forces repeatedly fail to break flowerpot

Death to the vase! Iran military parade turns awkward as special forces repeatedly fail to break flowerpot

Video: Muslim “ex-extremist” explains why he is on the brink of leaving Islam

Video: Muslim “ex-extremist” explains why he is on the brink of leaving Islam

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12/23/16 | Fox News | December 23, 2016

HANNITY 12/23/16 | Fox News | 23 December 2016

The Savage Nation - December 23 2016 [HOUR 2, HOUR 3] Michael DelGiorno ...

Alex Jones (FULL SHOW Commercial Free) Friday 12/23/16: Special Pre-Chri...

Rush Limbaugh Show December 23,2016 Podcast

Friday, December 23, 2016

NJ textbook: Effect of Crusades is that “Christians harsh treatment of Muslims continues”

NJ textbook: Effect of Crusades is that “Christians harsh treatment of Muslims continues”

Breaking: Australian police thwart planned Christmas jihad bombings

Breaking: Australian police thwart planned Christmas jihad bombings

French mayor tried for saying large number of Muslims in his city was “problem”

French mayor tried for saying large number of Muslims in his city was “problem”

Germany: Austrian embassy menu bans mention of Christmas for fear of offending Muslims

Germany: Austrian embassy menu bans mention of Christmas for fear of offending Muslims

Virginia: Muslim bought AK-47 the day after San Bernardino jihad massacre

Virginia: Muslim bought AK-47 the day after San Bernardino jihad massacre

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12/22/16 | Fox News | December 22, 2016

Hannity 12/22/16 | Fox News | December 22, 2016

The Savage Nation- Guest Host: Lou Pate- December 22nd, 2016 (Full Show)

Alex Jones (FULL SHOW Commercial Free) Thursday 12/22/16: Stefan Molyneu...

Rush Limbaugh Show - December 22,2016 Podcast

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Austria: Muslim migrant screaming “Allahu akbar” leaps on stage during children’s Christmas play, starts reading from Qur’an

Austria: Muslim migrant screaming “Allahu akbar” leaps on stage during children’s Christmas play, starts reading from Qur’an

Police: Muslim student at U of Michigan lied in claiming man threatened to light her on fire unless she removed hijab

Police: Muslim student at U of Michigan lied in claiming man threatened to light her on fire unless she removed hijab

UK: Bristol police step up patrols to combat “Islamophobia” after Berlin jihad attack

UK: Bristol police step up patrols to combat “Islamophobia” after Berlin jihad attack

Muslim migrant wanted for Berlin massacre was jailed 4 years in Italy; police lost him

Muslim migrant wanted for Berlin massacre was jailed 4 years in Italy; police lost him

Italian girl converts to Islam, joins the Islamic State: “I can’t wait to die as a martyr”

Italian girl converts to Islam, joins the Islamic State: “I can’t wait to die as a martyr”

Germany could not deport Berlin truck jihad attacker because of missing paperwork

Germany could not deport Berlin truck jihad attacker because of missing paperwork

Passengers on Delta flight dispute story of Muslim who claimed he was removed from plane for speaking Arabic

Passengers on Delta flight dispute story of Muslim who claimed he was removed from plane for speaking Arabic

Tucker Carlson Tonight 12/21/16 | Fox News | December 21, 2016

Hannity 12/21/16 | Fox News | December 21, 2016

The Savage Nation- Guest Host: Michael DelGiorno- December 21st, 2016 (F...

Alex Jones (FULL SHOW Commercial Free) Wednesday 12/21/16: Godesky Broth...

Rush Limbaugh Show - December 21,2016 Podcast

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Muslim accused of jihad bombs in New York City and New Jersey pleads not guilty

Muslim accused of jihad bombs in New York City and New Jersey pleads not guilty

Robert Spencer: What did Erdogan know, and when did he know it?

Robert Spencer: What did Erdogan know, and when did he know it?

Killer of ambassador: “We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad that we will carry on jihad”

Killer of ambassador: “We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad that we will carry on jihad”

Geert Wilders tweets image of Merkel with blood on her hands following Berlin jihad attack

Geert Wilders tweets image of Merkel with blood on her hands following Berlin jihad attack

Merkel says it would be “particularly sickening” if Berlin jihad attacker turns out to be refugee

Merkel says it would be “particularly sickening” if Berlin jihad attacker turns out to be refugee

Trump vows to “wipe out Islamist terrorists from the face of the earth” following Berlin jihad attack

Trump vows to “wipe out Islamist terrorists from the face of the earth” following Berlin jihad attack

Harvard lecturer worries in Slate that Berlin jihad attack will “give a big boost to the far-right”

Harvard lecturer worries in Slate that Berlin jihad attack will “give a big boost to the far-right”

Lessons for Cuba of the East European Experience

the AZEL

PERSPECTIVE

Commentary on Cuba's Future, U.S. Foreign Policy & Individual Freedoms - Issue 53
 


Share
Tweet
Forward
“Reflections on Unfinished Revolutions,” a report by the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe reflects on the state of democracy in Eastern Europe 25 years after the 1989-91 freedom and independence movements.

The report is notable because it offers the assessment of 22 veterans of the struggle for freedom who continue to play significant roles in their countries’ political life. These are among the courageous men and women who, spent much of their formative lives under communist rule and yet, dared to “think of new realities.”
Their disheartening assessment is that, in many of the former Soviet bloc countries, the larger promises and hopes of the 1989-91 freedom movement remain unfulfilled under the long shadow of the communist legacy. In some of these countries, the Soviet communist system was replaced with authoritarian dictatorships enforced by former KGB officials and members of the Communist Party.

For most of these countries, the legacy of the communist period has bequeathed a long list of serious problems and challenges: endemic poverty, high unemployment, social disparities, endemic corruption, lack of transparency, weak political parties, a weak or nonexistent independent media, low levels of citizen participation in political life, and more.

In assessing the unfinished business of the 1989-91 freedom movements the report addresses questions such as:

Why did freedom succeed in some countries, and yet other countries failed to achieve even a basic democratic model of governance? Even in the countries where elections became free and fair, why has the role of non-democratic parties been so strong? Why is civic life and citizens’ participation in the new democracies so weak? What happened to the dream of an independent media? What were the missed opportunities for advancing freedom?

As I read this report, I could not help but to think melancholically that decades from now, a very similar report may be written about Cuba.

The authors of the study place much of the responsibility for their countries’ failed opportunities to achieve democratic governance on their own citizens; a citizenry who was unprepared to meet the challenges of overcoming the communist legacy and “did not act with sufficient decisiveness in getting rid of the old system.”

The report also notes that Western countries have a limited vision for expanding freedom and often fail to back democratic movements. Instead, Western governments underinvest in supporting the values of freedom and side with governments of an anti-democratic character.

One result has been that many political parties in post-communist countries view the state, not the people, as “their base or their constituency.” These parties become the instruments of authoritarian leaders. When societies fail to deal with their communist past, they inhibit the development of genuine democratic institutions.

The report also assesses Western politics and identifies additional policy problems. It argues that business oriented Western leaders often have an affinity for regimes that adopt economic reforms without democratic reforms. The authors argue that such regimes are self-contradictory and that democracy, not economics, should be the priority.

The valiant freedom fighters that authored this report are not homogeneous in their political orientations. Yet, they make it clear that when the Western liberal democratic establishment signals that its values are relative, that message undermines those fighting for democracy in their countries. They urge us not to look away from our values out of political concerns or for economic gain, and to stop treating dictators as if they can be “educated or turned.” The Kim Jong- uns, Putins, or Castros will not be turned.

At a minimum, Western governments should not incite democratic activists to work within the systems of dictatorships or faux post-communist organizations. The objective should be to promote real movement toward democracy, with long-term support for the development of democratic institutions.

It appears Western governments, and in particular the U.S. administration is unwilling to listen to the voices of the opposition living under oppression in Cuba or to the democracy loving exile community that champions freedom. But they should understand the Eastern European experience and heed their leaders.

It was the courage, values, and political imagination of 1989-91 freedom movements that brought about one of the most fundamental political transformations of the twentieth century. The lessons for Cuba’s future are multifold.

Please let us know if you Like Issue 53 - Lessons for Cuba of the East European Experience on Facebook this article.
This article was originally published in English in the Miami Herald and in Spanish in El Nuevo Herald.
 
José Azel, Ph.D.
José Azel left Cuba in 1961 as a 13 year-old political exile in what has been dubbed Operation Pedro Pan - the largest unaccompanied child refugee movement in the history of the Western Hemisphere.  

He is currently dedicated to the in-depth analyses of Cuba's economic, social and political state, with a keen interest in post-Castro-Cuba strategies as a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies (ICCAS) at the University of Miami and has published extensively on Cuba related topics.

In 2012 and 2015, Dr. Azel testified in the U.S. Congress on U.S.-Cuba Policy, and U.S. National Security.  He is a frequent speaker and commentator on these and related topics on local, national and international media.  He holds undergraduate and masters degrees in business administration and a Ph.D. in International Affairs from the University of Miami. 

Dr. Azel is author of Mañana in Cuba: The Legacy of Castroism and Transitional Challenges for Cuba, published in March 2010 and of Pedazos y Vacios, a collection of poems he wrote as a young exile in the 1960's.

José along with his wife Lily are avid skiers and adventure travelers.  In recent years they have climbed Grand Teton in Wyoming, trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Machu Pichu in Peru.  They have also hiked in Tibet and in the Himalayas to Mt. Everest Base Camp.

They cycled St. James Way (
El Camino de Santiago de Compostela) and cycled alongside the Danube from Germany to Hungary. They have scuba dived in the Bay Islands off the Honduran coast. 

Their adventurers are normally dedicated to raise funds for causes that are dear to them. 
Watch Joe & Lily summit Kilimanjaro.

Books by Dr. José Azel
Mañana in Cuba is a comprehensive analysis of contemporary Cuba with an incisive perspective of the Cuban frame of mind and its relevancy for Cuba's future.
Buy now

 
Pedazos y Vacíos is a collection of poems written in by Dr. Azel in his youth. Poems are in Spanish.
Buy now
To friend, follow or email author click on the icons below:
Copyright © 2015 Azel & Associates, All rights reserved.
If you are receiving this email it is because we met you at some point on an adventure.

Our mailing address is:
Azel & Associates
440 Sawgrass Parkway, Suite 106
Sunrise, FL 33325