This girl is paid by the american government to sow seeds of dicontent, to allign sympathizers and gather volunteers for a movement.  It's a lie.  People in Cuba aren't as unhappy as Americans think they are.  Sure, they might be underpaid, but think of what their closest trading partner does to the Cuban economy... STIFLE IT!  If americans traded with cuba, people in cuba would have some money, have a bit better employment, and have an outlet for trade.  Yay america for embargos and screwing countries over!

The world needs to know what is going on over there on this tiny island nation.  Keep the faith and keep on blogging!

Cuba is not screwed up from our embargo.  I can go to Ontario and buy all the Cuban cigars and sugar I want, same in Spain.  They are screwed up for the same reason the Soviet Union collapsed.  Central planning by  bureaucrats is a lousy way to run an economy.  Vietnam and China, the only other Commies left, threw out that system years ago.  Fidel, Raul and their buds are the only rulers left (aside from Reid and Pelosi) that think  this stuff works.  Well, maybe Chavez too.

Unfortunately we have Robert Hodges in the world.After 50 years a "building a new world for their people" Cuba goverment can not show anything but destruction of a once wonderful country. We were not perfect before but we as a goverment and as people belonged to the world. Now we are just a desperate country trying to survive on a daily basis and with no hope as long the current goverment still in power.That's why is so important to have this blog so the younger generation, the one that eventually will bring Cuba back to the world of free nations, can express their concerns, their ideas, their hopes of a better future for them and for all cubans that for almost 50 years have endure the longest dictatorship in history.I only hope that the ones that has not been submited to live in a place like Cuba could undrestand our suffering and our cries for freedom. A lot of people have lost their life on the sea trying to reach freedom; those souls deserve respect from everybody like any other soldier that have die in battle.
So, Sr. the next time you want to talk about Cuba and its people you better get your facts together or better go an live in Cuba as cubans do.

these spaces are inadequate to cover the complexities of Cuba or any other political place.  For those interested in getting a good handle on personal perspectives for Cuba, specifically, I recommend "Ninety Miles: Cuban Journeys in the Age of Castro." Author: Ian James. An extremely thought-provoking, well-written book. Enjoy.

why not move to a more liberal country like um united states duh

To those of you who say that the Cuban embargo has had no effect, let me beg to differ.  It may not be the one you expected, but it contributed to one of the greatest events in history -- the downfall of the Soviet Union.  The collapse of the Soviet Union was an economic one, not a military conquest, and one of the major reasons was that the Soviets were going broke attempting to prop up their fellow communist buddy Cuba to keep THEM from collapsing due to, guess what? the U.S. embargo.  So although our target was Fidel Castro, the bullet ultimately hit the Soviet Union.

Now that Cuba has no "big brother" communist to feed the coffers, it would quickly fail economically were it not for the dollars from Europe and their South American neighbors propping them up.  Fidel might have dodged the bullet, but I wouldn't bet that Raul will be so lucky.

Also, well said Rick in VA.  If any of these bleeding heart morons think they have EVER experienced unpleasantness before now, let them spend just one week in a prison of one of these communist dictatorships and see how they feel then!

Robert Hodge you really are clueless. There is nothing as important in life as freedom. Without it everthing is pretty much meaningless. Without freedom a Government can do to you whatever it pleases and you have no rights at all. Cuban are not free so they have nothing.

A Coworker and sorta friend of mine is from cuba, he said he came over many years ago when cuba basicly kicked out the oldest male child (or something to that regards). Every Xmas and such he is quite bummed out because he has not spoken to his mother since he was booted from cuba and cannot get word to her thru mail. Is this all normal or true, and is there any way to get contact to his mother? I am not sure where shes at but if its a possiblity Im sure I can find out. Any responce would be appreciated or email me I would love to chat about it.

This sounds like nonsense. Cuba's internet connections are slow. Deal with it.

Kudos to MSNBC for at least acknowledging the fact that indeed this blogger has NON been censored or muzzled. Readers in Havana are able have been able to access her site all but one day. There was a technical glitch that affected many people/compaties  and the popularity of her blog, due to these stories, has slowed the connection down. Cuba is forced to use satellite communications for internet, not superfast fiber optics we have in the US. This is because the US blocks Cuba from accessing the underwater line just a few dozen miles for shore. Pathetic. But Cuba will be hooked up from Venezuela in a year or 2.

I agree with Scratch, Rick (Winchester)& Cuban (LA)and it is obvious that someone doesn;t realize Castos' brother is not any different than he is......
Some of these people should read some books on Cuba and study some history......instead of staying on their computers.  

I support her 100%,it takes a lot to do what she does in Cuba. Also it is just logical to expect such a reaction from the government(if that is really what is going on) and this young woman neither anyone else should be schoked by it.If things were all right in Cuba then her work wouldn't be needed...as She has put it herself...it only will feed her fire..good on her! Cheers! Gerardo.

I agree that we should ease restrictions concerning Cuba. We have stuck with a failed policy too long how do we as a nation not try to work harder to influence reform in a country 90 miles off our shores. Is it because they have nothing we as a nation want materiel wise. Say do you all remember hurricane katrina and the fact that castro offered to send help and Bush turned them down. Seems to me someone was attemting to hold out the proverbial olive branch and we spit in their face. I truly think Cuba would be a little different tody if we had accepted the help and used the oppurtunity to reopen constructive dialouge aimed at trade and human rights. They are our brothers and sisters for godsakes. We really do not like it when some other country tells us flat out we are wrong why should they or any other country be any different. I love my country but that does not always mean we are right especially when the decisions or policies are made because huge corporations are upset over being kicked out of somewhere. My whole point is we aint perfect why do we expect Cuba or anyone else to be. All we can do is try to work a little harder to improve that goes for all countries. sorry to go off on a tangent but I get a little excitable over government issues. If any of you feel I have misspoken I am reasonable show me.

I am from cuba and I LOVE my country!!

If she doesnt like it, she should go live somewhere else

Robert Hodge:
Please go to live in Cuba NOT as a tourist. Just wake up one day in the island as a cuban (just for one day, it will be enough, I have no ill feelings for you). When you wake up from your nightmare you will read again your posts and you will do two things: thank providence (or Krishna, Buda, Jesus or whatever) and second: wonder how could you have been so blind to write your posts. Have a nice day

Come on y'all - this story is about a fearless woman taking on an oppressive government that fears freedom. It isn' about American policy - it's about the love of liberty and the frustration of hope - it's about life without fear of persecution and the inability of the misguided fools who think they can control the human spirit.

There is no good that comes from crushing the flame of liberty under a gloved fist, for the embers never cool and the glove eventually burns those who rule in fear of truth. They all wave the word, "freedom" around, but deny it to those who fight for it with them - or they sell it by the pound to the very few while taking what little freedom there was from the hands of the many poor. Freedom is not stolen or sold without damnation though. When the freedom you seem to have isn't your own, it strangles your soul.

To the Castros of the world, the Putins, the Stalins, the Maos, the Kim Jong Ils and all who would destroy those who refuse to carry your pathetic domination dreams into the next global nightmare, I say, "Go down to your holes and let my people go!" Your lies speak of your father the devil, the father of all lies. Your hatred rises forever like smoke from the hell you have chosen for yourselves. Your pride has the stink of sulpher and death. Go down to your reward and let every human be free to choose their own way. Your lies do not conceal the truth but make it known. Your hate turns back upon you like a cobra grasped by the tail. Seek the Lord and bathe in His grace, and "Let my people go!" How do you dare to mock their Maker so? How do you dare to turn like Cain against his brother? Why do you swat at the face of God and pretend to His throne over men? Go down on your knees or down to your hole, but go - and go now. This world can tolerate you no more, and when you've gone it will rejoice and remember you no more!

Cuba: Formerly a playground of the Richest. Poverty stricken? Always.

Interesting as her blog is sometimes, this girl seems to be engaging in self promotion more than anything else. Has anyone tried going to her blog? I did, right after the "news" of her "censorship" came out, and guess what: it downloaded perfectly. There are more important things to worry about than this.

I've got a news flash for Yoani. If you're 32, then you're not Gen Y but X, so who would want to listen to you anyway. You're ignorance is embarrassing.

You and your readers get a life and a job.

To those that seem to be ungrateful for the life and freedoms that they are freely given or born into in the States after many of their forefathers fought hard for them. You are very stupid people and do not deserve what you have. I live north of you and watch the constant complaining from you on all your news stations day in and day out. Very seldom is there a parade of those that are grateful for the U.S.A. Yes, there are some imperfection but wake up, you are free to make the changes. All it takes is more effort than sitting in your comfortable homes with one of your computers writing up a bitch letter of complaints. get off of your lazy asses and put your words into action. Stop pointing at others as the problem. You live in a country where you are free to make the changes to suit what you may think is the right way of life. You may be surprised at how many fellow Americans may think of you as insane as george Jr. I would gladly leave my country and trade places with any of you.

The worst and most brutal dictator in the world is a pragmatic housewife. That's why we never should have given those stupid bitches the right to vote. They will joyfully vote for security over freedom on every issue leaving your country as a fascist police state.
Want democracy? Don't let the stupid bitches vote.

for all you idiots that say this cuba system doesn't work- bear in mind it has been actively sabotaged from day one by the USA and is still standing.
Dumbasses.
It works. Imagine if the USA left them the fuck alone or better yet, helped them. You morons have no appreciation for the massive intentional negative influence of the USA on the country and what impact that has.

Viva Fidel! I love Cuba and if it was not for the brave heroes such as Fidel and Raul Castro, and the others that fought for the freedom of Cuba, the country would be as america had been "overseeing" it. Do you know what that was like? Slaves in the fields all day, pervasive poverty, the country's wealth in the pockets of americans, rampant prostitution, gambling, drugs and every social ill you can think of. Basically a sick and diseased Disneyland created by americans for their getaway fun at the expanse of an entire peoples. Shame on you Cubanos like Yoani Sanchez who spit hateful lies and tell twisted stories. Do you know who made it possible for you to attend a university? To receive healthcare? To have a place to live? To allow you so much freedom that you sit on your behind blogging all day? Yes, it is that very government you shamelessly lie about. In the u.s. education and healthcare are reserved for the rich. There are homeless all over the streets, prostitution everywhere and people sick and suffering from drugs. 1 in every 100 americans are in prison and 13 million americans do not have access to healthcare. What is your idea of freedom? For just yourself? Well you had what real freedom is while in Cuba. Yes, Cuba has suffered greatly from the u.s. imposed sanctions and their trickery and bullying other countries to not be fair and just with Cuba. But Cuba has her dignity. Where is yours? Shame on you. And for the lady who compares Sanchez to Maceo and Marti, I suggest you read your history. Those men were brave heroes of the people, not traitors looking for a Gucci handbag like Sanchez. And believe me Sanchez, you are not worthy of the governemnts time to mess with your blog. What an inflated sense of importance you have! I am glad you left Cuba, that famous flush pulled years ago should have included you, and now it has. go sit with your miami traitors and talk over your manicures.

wow.. after reading the comments regarding Cuba.. how many of you know the history of Castro and Cuba? As for democracy and change, etc.. everyone has a right to their opinion in the US. That doesn't exist everywhere in the world. You think having western influence in all these places will fix things.. :)

Ignorance of how the US government works shows a lack of knowledge on behalf of the voting population. The President's power and influence works with the Congress. They aren't independent. For those who believe the rhetoric of politicans running for office, shame on you. They say what you want to hear. They promise what you want to be done. The fact is, they have to work with a set of rules and guidelines. In the beginning of US government, the positions held by 'public servants' weren't as they are today. They really had the welfare of the country in mind first and padding their pockets and power weren't their primary objectives.

Look at all the special interest groups.. the senators achieving personal vendettas and goals. That is the government.. don't blame the President for all the 'bad' and 'negative' aspects of government. The true power is in the hands of the Congress. Watch how Congress is handling things.

Do you know what 'line item veto' is? It's a benefit state govenors have and the President doesn't. It allows the ridiculous expenditures by Congressional pick pockets. It allows the less than public-minded public servants to leave the government with more money than  they came in with. It allows for lobbyists. Do you really think they want to give that up?

Cuba will straighten itself out. That is the way it should be. When the people believe enough in their own power, they will find a way to get change. There was a time when this woman would just have disappeared and not be heard from again. The fact she is still being heard, says things are changing. It takes time.

The US interferred once before in Cuba.. the result was Castro. The US needs to let the people in Cuba take care of their own government and make their own path. From the US side, what is the benefit to this country by getting involved in Cuban politics? China is obvious.. look how they've changed by western influence. The middle east.. well.. oil aside, western ideaology is 'evil'. Other parts of Asia.. volatile and potentially politically explosive. Africa.. no one can harm/help them as much as they seem to harm themselves. Any outside influence will add grease to the fire. How do you undo decades of hatred and lack of concern for life? Western influence may show them ways, but only they can help themselves.

This country has it's own problems that need to be dealt with.

I do worry about some of the more ignorant comments from supposedly educated Americans. Do a little reading and research. Your country's behaviour is one of the reasons why Cuba is so poor. The USA threatened other countries that wanted to trade with Cuba several years ago. Communism suits some countries whereas democracy doesn't suit all. Look at the Middle East.

As for sad Europeans, this Briton will be holidaying in Cuba next month, because getting into the good ol' USA is now such a pain in the butt. You'd never believe we where supposed to be considered allies. The Pound/Euro to Dollar exchange means I have doubled the money I have to spend, but it won't be going into the pockets of Yanks until they wise up and realise how much freedom THEY have lost since Bush came to power.

It is really incredible to see how UN-educated some, so called, americans are in regards to cuba...all I have to say is,"keep your trap shut if you haven't lived it."no matter how much you study, work,or how much you try to excel in cuba everything you buy,or "think" you own belongs to the government...you study for free but, then you have to work for the government for approximately 80 cuban pesos a month which is about $16.00 american dollars...and "if" your fortunate enough to leave legally,the government comes to your house inventory your stuff and padlocks your door(leaving you outside)...and on your way to the plane you have to go through a mob that shouts at you calling you a traitor, punches you, throws rotten tomatoes and eggs at you....just think that many people rather risk their lives in the Florida straits  than stay in cuba...a friend once told me that she knew there were other countries because she had seen them in movies but, she knew she would never visit them...just imagine...we can leave the U.S. legally anytime we want to (with a passport)...cubans can't get one...they can't leave!!  

It's time to drop the imbargo of Cuba. The only thing that is going to make that country into a democracy is capatalism. If we can do billions of dollars worth of business with China, who is still one of the worst human rights violators. What about Vietnam? 65,000 americans died there to promote democracy. They are still a communist nation who killed and jailed millions after the fall. Yet once again we are doing millions of dollars worth of trade with them. Last time I checked, Cuba has never done any harm to the USA, and they are not a threat to our security. So why not make an ally out of them with free trade and an exchange of ideas.

People can claim the reason that conditions are so bad and antiquated in Cuba are because of the Embargo, but the truth of it is that the United States is the ONLY nation with this embargo going. Cuba could buy anything that they want from the rest of the world and modernize thier country, but Castro (Fidel and Raoul)refuse to do this, keeping their people under their repressive thumb.

China has documented their control over what their people see on the internet, it is certainly not impossible that Cuba would try to do the same. If Google was able to negotiate with Cuba, do you wonder if they would do the same thing that they did in China and filter out any links that the host nation would find unacceptable?

Is this USA problem or is it a concern of Cuba? There are people in every country who are living with substandard quality of life. America, yes,  it's grand but there are children eating out of the trash cans and at nights lay in the park, streets , etc. My question is really one that means no harm to anyone..so I ask "whose problem is this and who needs to fix it"?

I do not feel sorry about cubans; they may be poor, but they have te best free health care in Latin America, completely free education from k-18 and beyond.  So she does not have good internet access, big deal.  I did not have access to internet for ten years; I was paying for my student loans and couldn't effort. Oh, I did not have my first car until I finished college, guess what nothing is free in America.  And by the way, deep poverty is worst than communism. I know it and I live in America. Get over it; I'm sick and tired of hearing about cubans.      

Are you afraid to post my comment that I made yesterday, it was the truth, let the people read it and then they can look up what I wrote,  why not post it. Patrick McShane

Bravo!! Very well said, Mitra from Seattle.  You got my support. I second your opinion. Yoani Sanchez sinverguenza.  

Between America's senseless embargo and the Cuban Government's desire to supress their people, the person on the streets in Cuba doesn't stand a chance. Yoanis is a hero in the truest sense of the word!

Between America's senseless embargo and the Cuban Government's desire to supress their people, the person on the streets in Cuba doesn't stand a chance. Yoanis is a hero in the truest sense of the word!

Hey politiguru:

If you want to write that someone is ignorant, please learn how to spell!  Your (NOT You're) ignorance is embarrassing!

WHAT GOOD HAVE THE SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA DONE?  THEY HAVE HELD BACK THE PEOPLE NOT THE GOVERNMENT.  I HAVE BEEN TO CUBA BACK IN THE 1980'S AND AGAIN IN 2003 THERE HAS BEEN A VAST INPROVMENT IN THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THE NEWER HOTELS BEING BUILT HELP THE ECONOMY AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN TOURISM.   A BIG HELP TO THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE USA  THINK OF WHAT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IF THEY LIFTED THE SANCTIONS.  

Does Communist China  do the same thing like block people they don't like

I don't have the time to write a long post but as a person who was born and lived in Cuba until I was 24 years old I have to say am really appalled to such ignorant and hateful comments from people such as Mitra from Seattle.

I will only respond to Myrtle St. John who said:
"Interesting as her blog is sometimes, this girl seems to be engaging in self promotion more than anything else. Has anyone tried going to her blog? I did, right after the "news" of her "censorship" came out, and guess what: it downloaded perfectly. There are more important things to worry about than this."

Are you in Cuba, sir? If not, then shut up. That you can access the website for outside does not mean it can be accessed from inside Cuba. The website is hosted in Germany for your information. What it's being blocked is the access from within Cuba, since they can't take down the server in Germany. As someone who lived under that terrible system, I have to said you have to very brave to do what Yoanis is doing.

Oh dear "sjc derry, nh, when will you learn ?

Yes, Cuba has problems, but there is no need for the USA to "interfer" as you say, just allow your own people (Americans) to do business with Cuba and the Cubans. THAT was what I meant by loss of freedoms experienced by Americans today. You cannot get up and go to Cuba without travelling via Mexico or Canada, and paying to have your passports not stamped, because if it is, you'll be in trouble right? You cannot import an old Pontiac (say) or import Cuban cigars from wherever you might buy them. I know of Americans in Europe who smoke Cuban cigars, buying them here but not allowed to take them "home", by your silly little Government.

Just what is it that still scares the USA about Cuba?

Cuba's present problems are a direct result of your country's  protectionism. (That and your organised crime.) You are still doing it. You all say you love capitalism, but you do not like competition.

Just allow Cubans to sell you legitimate stuff, and they'll make enough money to start buying stuff from you. That's how it started in Cuba. We British opened it up from the closed protectionist policies of the Spanish and the French. You are no better.

Rob,England - Cuba is not part of Washington.
No Faith, Miami - Cuba is not part of Miami.

Cuba is biggest island in the Carribean and it parts of Latin America!

Guess I'm an ignorant American, but I didn't think Cuba would have internet capabilities at all.  Every day we are told that they are starving, illiterate and doomed. That they are forced to live under a brutal regime without any freedom.  I believe its the Cuban Americans that perpetuates ignorance. Thier thirst for revenge is greater than whats best for Cuba and its people.  Do they want to go back to the way it was before Castro?  I believe the Cuban government should do the responsible thing and prepare a transition for close to normal relations we the US.  And that we should respect the soverign rights of our neighbor.  

Y'all need to stop hating on Cuba so much.  When Castro's crew ousted their oppressive ruling regime, they had no one to turn to for support--the US was vehemently pro ruling class.  So they adopted a USSR model of totalitarian quasi-communism.  

Communal doesn't have to equate anti-democratic, censored, or repressive.  They just made a lot of bad decisions.  

If you want Cuba to stay communal, but become democratic, more free and open, change will be necessary.  

If you want Cuba to fall flat and become a capitalist country, then lift the embargo.  The flood of American money and consumer products will cause an implosion of any sentiment of communalism.  I'd argue the cycle would be complete in probably less than one year.

We have more problems here that we can deal with.  Leave Cuba alone, unless you want the old Batista regime back, complete with drugs, prostitution, gambling and slave trade.  Maybe that is what you want?

WOW, Patrick Mcshane lives in his own little world. "The Bush family is behind the embargo." LOL Too funny ds. Go to www.historyofcuba.com for a timeline of events and see who started it. Kennedy did ds and everyone knows of course that the Kennedy's and Bush's are such great friends! LOL Maybe one day you will wake up from your little dream world. Until then sleep well!

There is an old addage "you had to be there"  I have been to Cuba many many times and do feel my observations are worthy of note.  I am an educated writer (investigative) and have learnt how to descreetly ask questions, pry, poke and prod to find out what I want to know.  I do this in Cuba all the time and have come to the conclusion that if Castro didn't want to face dissent amongst his young people, he should not have made education a priority.  Most of them are smart and certianly educated, and that breeds curiosity, especially about the outside world.  One young man told me his big question was "if Castro can go to other countries, why can't I" - very basic, very profound!  There seems to be only two classes in Cuba, the reasonably comfortable and the very very poor.  As history shows, these discrepencies breed revolution.  They traded one class system for another.
Revolution takes different forms in different times and the Internet will ultimately play a big role in Cuba's next revolution.

I have to agree with Kathy for Mid Cal. I haven't lived in another country, but my parents are both Cuban, and I have heard the stories from them and my three older siblings.  I am glad to live in the U.S.A..

The Cubans in Miami are the lobby preventing exchange because they want to rule the island in the future.

As a Cuban, they disgust me!!

Lift economic sanctions- both of us will beneifit- recent history would be on your side- look at China and its super economy- old school communism is out, we have a symbiotic mautally benefical relations with the Iron Dragon.

Explain why we rebuilt Japan after they bombed Pearl Harbor, explain why we are still in Iraq, but you can't visit Cuba?  I know that the US Government suffered some embarassment over the Bay of Pigs, but all in all, it has been 50 years.  Get over it.  It is time to allow the link between America and Cuba. Castro and his other government cronies are profiting off the hard work of its common people.  These poor people have to buy deodorant on the black market. When do we help them stop the madness.  Let's bring them into the 21st century.

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