Angel Santiesteban-Prats has faced numerous hardships as an outspoken blogger in Cuba. Yet, he continues to try to make his voice heard and continually refuses the government's offers of release under the conditions that Santiesteban-Prats would leave the island, which he has reportedly turned down several times.
Here are three facts about Cuban blogger Santiesteban-Prats.
1. Prison Time
Santiesteban-Prats was imprisoned in 2013,
according to Translating Cuba, which states, "Any Cuban prisoner has the right to 'enjoy' probation upon serving half of his sentence in prison. But Angel is NOT a common criminal but a political prisoner who was sentenced for a common crime that he did not commit, in order to hide the political motivation and at the same time portray him as a despised 'criminal,' who could not 'enjoy' that right, as none of them should, including the availability of residential passes, which, as I have reported, was only granted to him once, in September 2013."
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Only time will tell if and when Santiesteban-Prats will be released, but there is a Facebook page dedicated to calling for his and other political prisoner's releases.
2. The Children Nobody Wanted
This is both the title of Santiesteban-Prats' blog as well as the title of one of his books.
The blog continues to publish posts from Santiesteban-Prats, which he signs with his name, date, and "Border Prison Unit, Havana." An excerpt of one post reads: "Any good Cuban should visit the tomb of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, one of the greatest defenders of liberty and justice in the history of Cuba. His name is inscribed, in its own right, in the pantheon of Cuban heroes. I even heard the national intellectuals mention his name with respect, sometimes with fear. They always accepted, even though they were 'official,' his intelligence, valor and honesty in his political demands for Cuban citizens."
3. Enemy of the Revolution
Santiesteban-Prats was once described by this phrase on the
Cuban TV show, "Reasons of Cuba," which aired on March 21, 2011. This aired after he was beaten in Havana by people who some believe were acting on behalf of the government.
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