The Cuban writer and journalist Jorge Fernández Era has announced his resignation from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) following the expulsion of professor and academic Alina Bárbara López Hernández for her critical stance against the regime. Fernández Era shared a letter addressed to the institution's presidency on his Facebook profile, describing it as a paramilitary force serving the dictatorship.
According to him, despite the regime's displeasure, Alina Bárbara López Hernández will continue to be one of Cuba's most honest and enlightened intellectuals. "Her expulsion adds to repugnant chapters like the UMAP, the Parametrization, the Black Spring, and the minister's crackdown..., which represent nothing but the literal execution of the exclusive maxim 'With the Revolution, everything; against the Revolution, nothing'," he detailed.
"The 'Revolution' you honor with such a sanction is the same one defended by the Party that misgoverns us and the henchmen who try to silence inconvenient voices like Alina's. They blatantly violate the rights granted to us by the Constitution..." he added.
The humorist also accused UNEAC of servilely submitting to the government, which fears debate and controversy, labeling everything that contradicts its lies as "counter-revolutionary." He clarified that although his friend's expulsion outraged him, it did not surprise him, as the entity has done nothing to address the harassment he and Alina have faced from State Security and the Police in recent years. Both have been detained and threatened multiple times, and UNEAC merely washed its hands of their claims.
"If they are consistent with the crude pretexts used to expel Alina, my turn will come, perhaps only awaiting the signature of some official from the Ideological Department of the Central Committee. To save bureaucrats and subordinates paperwork, I am requesting my resignation as a member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. The reasons are clear," he emphasized.
Last week, UNEAC expelled professor Alina Bárbara López Hernández, accusing her of engaging in "activities against the revolution," showing solidarity with the July 11 protests, and publishing content online against political leaders. The provincial leadership of UNEAC in Matanzas communicated the measure to López Hernández, denying her access to a copy of the official document justifying the sanction, which she considered "cowardice." She also had no opportunity to appeal.
"I would never try to appeal a decision that seems more dictated by State Security agents than by writers and artists," she noted.
Alina, who has been arrested and beaten for exercising her right to peaceful protest, emphasized that despite her dismissal, she will continue to exercise her right to freedom of expression in Cuba and maintain her critical stance from outside the organization.
FAQs on UNEAC Expulsion and Resignations
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the recent resignations and expulsions within UNEAC, focusing on the critical stances against the Cuban regime.
Why did Jorge Fernández Era resign from UNEAC?
Jorge Fernández Era resigned from UNEAC in protest of the expulsion of Alina Bárbara López Hernández, criticizing the organization for its servile submission to the government and its intolerance towards dissenting voices.
What were the reasons behind Alina Bárbara López Hernández's expulsion?
Alina Bárbara López Hernández was expelled from UNEAC for her critical stance against the Cuban regime, her solidarity with the July 11 protests, and her online publications against political leaders.
How did UNEAC communicate the expulsion to Alina Bárbara López Hernández?
The provincial leadership of UNEAC in Matanzas informed Alina Bárbara López Hernández of her expulsion and denied her access to a copy of the official document justifying the sanction. She was also not given an opportunity to appeal.
What has been Alina Bárbara López Hernández's response to her expulsion?
Despite her expulsion, Alina Bárbara López Hernández has stated that she will continue to exercise her right to freedom of expression in Cuba and maintain her critical stance from outside the organization.