Blogger Censored by Cuban Authorities

Cuba's all in the news these days, with stories in the Wall St. Journal about Cuban art; speculation about possible legal U.S. travel to the island; and the retirement of Fidel Castro.

Yoani Sanchez, Cuba’s most popular blogger, reported that Cuban authorities have blocked viewing of her blog, Generacion Y. Sanchez, whose blog received 1.2 million visits in February, said government censors had placed “filters” that delayed viewing of her web page on a server in Germany. Recent attempts to view the site from Cuba met with a notice: “The page cannot be displayed.”

Sanchez, a 32-year-old philology (the study of ancient texts and languages) graduate, has drawn a significant readership by writing about her daily life in Cuba and describing economic hardships and political constraints. As of late, she has criticized Cuba's new leader, Raul Castro, for his vague promises of change and minimal steps to improve the standard of living for Cubans. In a country where the press is controlled by the state and there is no independent media, Sanchez and other Cubans have found in the internet an unregulated vehicle of expression.

The link above to Generacion Y is not blocked or delayed. For a translated version in English of Yaoni Sanchez’s statement concerning censorship, visit this website.

Vinales, Cuba