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The Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla, who has gained visibility for her criticism of the economic crisis and the lack of freedoms in Cuba, sent a message to the people of the island through her social media, stating that she does not need to ask for permission for political participation.
The young woman, who was forced to seek asylum in Spain, claimed that she is the target of a defamation campaign orchestrated by Cuban State Security; however, she clarified that she does not speak "to convince any foreign diplomat, activist, or opposition member."
“I speak to him, and I will continue to speak to the people of Cuba,” he asserted.
He said that the campaign against him is "a media assassination that, State Security, is not going well for you."
She stated that many Cuban mothers identify with her and recalled the threats and harassment she experienced while in Cuba, the psychological and financial toll her social media denunciations had on her family, and clarified that she does not need to ask for permission for political participation.
Calzadilla accused the regime in Havana of using disinformation tactics and harassment to discredit his image and silence his activism.
In his message, he denied his presence in a viral video that supposedly links him to a rally of repudiation against the Damas de Blanco in 2010.
The activist, who was about 19 years old at the time, categorically denied that she participated in a march to suppress the Damas de Blanco and showed photos of her appearance during those years to prove that she was not the same person in the video: "The woman in the video is an old woman and a dwarf. I am 1.70 meters tall and at that time I was very thin," she explained.
Calzadilla also took the opportunity in his publication to call on the international community, asking them to remain vigilant against the Cuban regime's attempts to silence freedom of expression on the island. His message was clear: "I will not stop in my fight for justice and truth. My commitment remains with the people of Cuba."
At the end of his message, he spoke about the Cuba of the future, a country where the truth is told to children and where every Cuban who emigrated can return.
In parallel to Calzadilla's statements, on February 13, the Head of the United States Diplomatic Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held a meeting in Madrid with Calzadilla and other members of the organization Ciudadanía y Libertad, established in 2023 to promote civil and political rights in Cuba. This group fights to foster an active and informed society, where citizens can participate without fear of retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Amelia Calzadilla and her activism in Cuba
Who is Amelia Calzadilla and why is she relevant in Cuban activism?
Amelia Calzadilla is a Cuban activist known for her denunciations of the economic crisis and the lack of freedoms in Cuba. She has gained visibility on social media due to her critical stance against the Cuban regime and her commitment to freedom of expression. Currently, she lives in exile in Spain and continues to raise her voice in support of the Cuban people.
What does Amelia Calzadilla allege about the smear campaign against her?
Amelia Calzadilla reports that she is a victim of a defamation campaign orchestrated by the Cuban State Security to silence her and discredit her activism. The activist claims that the regime uses disinformation tactics and harassment to tarnish her reputation. One of the accusations against her includes a viral video from 2010 that incorrectly links her to a repudiation rally against the Ladies in White, which she has vehemently denied.
What is Amelia Calzadilla's message to the Cuban people?
Amelia Calzadilla has reiterated that her commitment remains with the people of Cuba, assuring that she will not stop in her struggle for justice and truth. In her messages, she calls on the Cuban people to stay strong in the fight for their rights, and she also urges the international community to be vigilant about the Cuban regime's attempts to silence freedom of expression on the island.
What is the organization Citizenship and Freedom and what is its relationship with Amelia Calzadilla?
Citizenship and Freedom is an organization created in 2023 that seeks to promote civil and political rights in Cuba. Amelia Calzadilla is a member of this organization that advocates for an active and informed society, where citizens can participate in public affairs without fear of reprisals. The organization has held meetings with international figures, such as the Head of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Cuba, to discuss the human rights situation on the island.
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