Havana Real by Yoani Sanchez

Author:Yoani Sanchez [Sanchez, Yoani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-935554-91-2
Publisher: Melville House
Published: 2011-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

Not under pressure … nor without pressure

This morning, April 27, some of us went with our friend Edgar to appeal his denial of permission to leave the country. A few steps from the Office of Legal Counsel is the site of the National Immigration and Emigration office. I already know the place, having been there just a year ago with a similar appeal, which ended with a confirmation that I could not travel “for the moment.” Uniformed officers and people quietly hoping to have their cases revisited inhabit the stage at this branch of the Ministry of the Interior.

The signatures collected from Cubans here and outside the country were handed over to the duty officer, who confirmed that the Ministry now has sixty days to respond to his request. On Friday, two Section 21 officers had “suggested” to Edgar that he not appear here today. The implication was that if he were quiet, they would allow him to travel by August. After this young man’s hunger strike, “the boys of the apparatus” informed him, immigration officials couldn’t be seen to “act under pressure” in letting him on the plane.

As if it weren’t completely common that citizens bring pressure to bear and politicians amend their actions accordingly. As if it were not for precisely this reason that they occupy their positions—to yield, again and again, to the demands of society. Hasn’t it been said by enough voices that requiring permission to leave and enter Cuba must be repealed? What more has to happen?

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