On April 26, 2024, Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces shares his insights in this interview with Martí Noticias on the significance of the IAHRC Report for 2023 and the inclusion of a chapter dedicated to Cuba.
On April 26, 2024 Diario las Américas published Michael Lima’s article on “Discurso Deshumanizador y represión en Cuba.”
On April 25, 2024 Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces wrote an article titled “Dehumanizing Discourse and Repression in Cuba,” published in English, Spanish and Portuguese in Latinoamerica21, “a media and content platform that brings together a broad community of experts and academics who produce analysis and opinion texts on political, economic, and social issues in Latin America.”
Insights and analysis on the Cuban regime’s new repressive strategy in the context of the protests in Santiago de Cuba and other cities in this report in Martí Noticias on March 21, 2024.
On March 20, 2024. Rolando Napoles, America Teve reporter features our solidarity message with the people of Cuba as they take to the streets to demand their right to freedom,.
On March 18, 2024, Alejandro Marcano at Martí Noticias echoed our call to demand proof of life for José Daniel Ferrer amidst reports about his alleged political assassination. It was confirmed by his daughter Fatima Victoria that his father is alive.
March 7, 2024. In Martí Noticias speaking up for the release of José Daniel Ferrer García, Cuban prisoner of conscience who has been subjected to systematic tortures including beatings, sonic attacks, sleep deprivation, denial of proper medican and dental care & more than 15 denials of marriage visits.
Diario Las América published Michael Lima’s Op-Ed titled “Trudeau Debe Cambiar la politica hacia Cuba, impulsada por China, Rusia, e Irán.”
On February 28, 2024 Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces published this op-ed in the Bureau News, on the need to re-think and change Canada’s foreign policy on Cuba in light of the regime’s unprecedented levels of repression against civil society & its active alliance with two of the word’s biggest enemies of democracy: China and Russia. The op-ed is titled, “Trudeau must change policy on Cuba, which is leveraged by China, Russia, Iran.”
Michael Lima Cuadra’s analysis featured in Martí Noticias on Orlando Zapata Tamayo (Cuban activist and political prisoner), 14 years after his death after a prolonged hunger strike and the regime’s role in Zapata’s political assassination.
On Feb 8, 2024 El Diario de las Americas dedicated an entire article under the title“Notificaciones rojas de INTERPOL: otra arma de persecución política del régimen cubano,” (INTERPOL’S Red Notices: Another weapon of political persecution by the Cuban Regime) to cover Democratic Spaces’ article on the weaponization of INTERPOL’s Red Notices by the Cuban regime.
Democratic Spaces thanks the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, a coalition of 41 human rights and pro-democracy organizations both within and outside of Cuba, for their invaluable support and solidarity in disseminating our call to attention regarding the Cuban regime's misuse of Interpol's Red Notices as a political tool to persecute critics, activists, and YouTubers.
Informe Orwell echoes Democratic Spaces' call attention to the Cuban regime's misuse of Interpol's Red Notices as weapons for politically persecuting activists and YouTubers. "Human rights organizations, like Democratic Spaces, have warned about the potential misuse of Interpol by Cuba to issue "Red Notices" against those listed. These notices could result in the arrest and extradition of individuals to Cuba, jeopardizing their safety and freedom.”
On February 16, 2024 Diario de las Américas in an article titled: “Diáspora rechazan nombramiento de Malmierca como embajador de Cuba en Canadá” (Diaspora rejects appointment of Malmierca as Ambassador of Cuba in Canada), covers Michael Lima Cuadra’s remarks on this topic.
On Feb 16, 2024 Martí Noticias covered Michael Lima Cuadra’s remarks on the appointment of Malmierca as Ambassador to Canada in an article titled "Critican nombramiento de Malmierca como embajador de Cuba en Canadá,” (The appointment of Malmierca as Ambassador of Cuba in Canada is criticized.")
OTTAWA. CANADA. Jan 29, 2024. Our NGO Democratic Spaces joins 8 civil society/community organizations, taking part under the Human Rights Coalition to participate in the Public Hearings that began on January 29, 2024 in Ottawa. Canada with the participation of lawyers, activists, security experts. This is the beginning of a critical examination of transnational repression & the interference of various authoritarian regimes in Canada's electoral and democratic processes.
January 10. 2024. On a letter by Michael Lima, Director Democratic Spaces to Kristin Wong-Tam, Member of the Provincial Parliament for the New Democratic Party (NDP) with respect to the implications of raising the Cuban flag in Queen's Park, Toronto to commemorate the violent Rise to power of the current Cuban regime, which for over 6 decades has established an oppressive system that criminalizes dissent and engages in systematic and gross human rights violations.
On the situation of Cuban prisoners of conscience such as José Daniel Ferrer and Ladies in White jailed for exercising fundamental human rights and the overall climate of repression in Cuba in 2023.
Interview with Martí Noticias on December 28. 2023.
Empowered by a meeting with MP Shuvaloy Majumdar. We discussed escalating repression in Cuba, the plight of political prisoners, and crucial steps for Canada to advance #humanrights.
MP Shuv Majumdar, is a decades-long champion of democracy & human rights & brings a clear perspective on Canada’s role in a world where authoritarian & democracy clash at the global stage.
Journalist Rolando Nápoles/America Tevé’s coverage of the event Cubans: the Real Story. What about Canada?. Nov 22, 2023
On November 22, 2023, Diario las Américas featured the event titled, “Cubans: the Real Story. What about Canada?”
Coverage of the event in Ottawa in Corriere Canadese, a bilingual Italian-English publication in Canada. “Non-government, Canadian MPs take centre stage on Human Rights in the Americas: Cuba.” Nov 29 2023.
From the left: Garnett Genuis, MP, Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat (ACR) and Michael Lima (Democratic Spaces). photo by R. Allos)
Yolanda Huerga’ Martí Noticias’ coverage of the event “Cubans: the Real Story. What about Canada?” in Ottawa, Canada.
Oct 11, 2023. Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces in an interview with journalist Alejandro Marcano in Martí Noticias on the re-election of the Cuban regime to the United Nations Human Rights Council. “A vote for the Cuban regime is a vote for impunity and a vote against human rights.”
In an interview on October 8. 2023 with journalist Yolanda Huerga/Martí Noticias, we expressed why Democratic Spaces is urging the Government of Canada to deny the Cuban regime a seat at the United Nations Human rights Council. A vote for Cuba’s oppressive power inner circle @ the UN Human Rights Council is a vote for impunity & a vote against human rights.
On September 14, 2023, Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces, attended Canada's Parliament in Ottawa for the swearing-in ceremony of Shuvaloy Majumdar, who was sworn in as a Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage. Michael was honored to attend and support Shuv's life-long commitment to defend Canada's interests around the world and confront authoritarians from Beijing, China, and Moscow, Russia, to Havana, Cuba.
Offering insights and analysis on the September 5. 2023 Cuba Travel Advice issued by the Government of Canada in this article by Yolanda Huerga, journalist at Martí Noticias. Sept 7, 2023
Diario Las Américas makes visible our ongoing work in Canada for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Cuba. August 18,. 2023.
This news report was also published in Nation World News
Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces and Sarah Teich, Senior Fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute in this op-ed published by The Globe and Mail under the title “An Island prison: Cubans still suffer as the free world looks away,” on the occasion of the second anniversary of the July 11 pro democratic protests in Cuba.
Two years ago, the people of #Cuba made the regime pay the highest international cost. They took to the streets standing up for #humanrights & dismantling myths about popular support #Canada's solidarity is crucial.
In this article titled, “Llamamiento urgente a la action international or Urgent Call for International Action on Cuba,” Hypermedia Magazine, provides a detailed analysis and insightful perspective on the arguments expressed in our op-ed titled "An Island Prison: Cubans Still Suffer as the Free World Looks Away," published in The Globe and Mail on July 11, 2023.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa reproduced our op-ed published in the Globe and Mail under the title, “An island prison: Cubans still suffer as the free world looks away.”
On June 19, 2023, journalist Rolando Napoles from America Teve channel reported on our collaborative efforts with human rights activists in Cuba, the United States, Sweden, and other countries. Together, we raised our voices demanding proof of life and the immediate and unconditional release of José Daniel Ferrer García, a Cuban prisoner of conscience and pro-democratic leader.
In this interview with Marti Noticias I am denouncing Julio Fonseca one of the leading perpetrators in charge of the repression against José Daniel Ferrer, Cuban prisoner of conscience and his family for a decade. May 15, 2023
Michael Lima interviewed by Radio Martí on why the Cuban dictatorship cancelled the May 1 Parade on Revolution Square in Havana and replaced it for minor events. May 1,. 2023.
Michael Lima interviewed by Radio Martí on April 25. 2023. I offer insights into the repercussions and significance of transnational repression against Cuban Canadians based on the repressive act against Glenda Corella, banned from entering her country of birth in retaliation for what she denounced as criticism of the regime on social media.
On March 27. 2023 Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces was invited to participate in this event hosted by the Iranian Canadian Council with the participation of Senator Leo Housakos focusing on the interference and influence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Canada and ways to counter act it with current canadian legislation and initiatives. The meeting also shed light more generally on how to fight authoritarians in other parts of the world.
Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces working with activists in Cuba shares his views on the campaign for abstention in Cuba, interviewed in Cuba Proxima on March 22, 2023.
The Cuban people must choose the political system they want.
By abstaining, the Cuban people will send a loud and clear message to the international community that there are no free and pluralistic elections in Cuba.
I support abstention in the voting this March 26, as a form of citizen protest against a dictatorship that has denied several generations of Cubans the right to participate in free, plural, fair and multi-party elections. The Cuban people must choose the political system they want.
By abstaining, the Cuban people will send a loud and clear message to the international community that free and pluralistic elections do not exist in Cuba.
When Cubans vote, they do not vote for candidates who represent different currents of thought and political tendencies, but for candidates who all invariably support the prevailing system. No more.
Our op-ed in the Toronto Star titled “Talk is cheap, jail is real - Canada’s hollow rebuke of Cuba’s crackdown,” published on January 2, 2023.
The op-ed authored by Sarah Teich, Rosa María Payá and Michael Lima. We argue in support of Canada’s imposition of Magnitsky sanctions on members of the Cuban regime responsible for gross human rights abuses against pro democracy protestors who took to the streets across Cuba on July 11. 2021.
Steven Chase, journalist of The Globe and Mail interviews Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Space sin this article titled: “Canada asked to hit Cuba with sanctions for repressing thousands after major protests.” It is based on the request we presented to Global Affairs Canada to impose sanctions on high officials in Cuba responsible for gross human rights violations during the July 11, 2021 pro democracy protests. November 14. 2022.
Event titled “Canada and Cuba in a world of expanding authoritarianism,” hosted by the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, considered Canada’s only truly national public policy, independent and non-partisan think, tank based in Ottawa.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a national public policy think tank based in Ottawa reproduced our op-ed on Magnitsky sanctions, initially published in the Toronto Star on January 2, 2022.
Michael Lima, Dir. of Democratic Spaces writes for Diario de Cuba this op-ed about the proposal of a Draft Law by the Council of Democratic Transition in Cuba to pressure the Cuban dictatorship to pass an Amnesty Law for the release of all political prisoners in Cuba.
Interviewed by Alejandro Marcano Santelli for Radio y Televisión Martí on Cuba-Venezuela relationship in the past two decades. December 27, 2022
Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces in interview with Alejandro Marcano, Radio Martí and Mega TV journalist offers his insights on the legal and moral implications of talks between representatives of the United States government and members of the Interior Ministry, a repressive entity responsible for gross human rights violations against alternate thinkers and critics in Cuba.
"We ask the government of Canada to back up its statements with action. We call on every freedom-loving Cuban in Canada and around the world to support this petition by spreading the word on social networks, in their communities and in different countries around the world. For us, it is a matter of justice that we owe to the victims of repression and Cuban political prisoners",
Michael Lima Cuadra, ADN Cuba
EFE News Agency Canada on our request for Magnitsky Sanctions to Global Affairs Canada. November 23, 2022.
Prof Isaac Nahon of the University of Ottawa writes this op-ed at The Ottawa Citizen on Nov 28. 2022 supporting our request to Global Affairs to impose Magnitsky sanctions on human rights abusers in Cuba.
14 y Medio on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
News Day FR on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
Hola News Texas, on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
The Epoch Times Brazil on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
Diario de Cuba on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
Cubanet on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
ADN Cuba on our reaction to statements by Global Affairs Canada on the Magnitsky sanctions request. Nov 24. 2022
CiberCuba on our request for Magnitsky Sanctions to Global Affairs Canada. November 23,. 2022.
Radio and TV Martí on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
Cubanet on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
ADN CUBA on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
EFE on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
Diario de las Americas on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
Telemnundo 51 Miami via Agencia EFE on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
14 y Medio on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
Diario de Cuba on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
CiberCiuba on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
TFIGlobal on the submission of sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada on Nov 14, 2022.
Cuban Institute for Free Press and Free Expression on the sanctions we presented to Global Affairs Canada.
AmericaTeve: Two organizations in Canda call on sanctions against Diaz Canel and other officials and entities. Nov 14, 2022
Evan Dyer, journalist with CBC interviews Michael Lima,. Dir of Democratic Spaces on the re emergence of populism in Latin America and the relationship between the left and the Cuban regime.
"That's the nature of complicity with Cuba - they might rule as democrats in their countries but in the relations with Cuba they are open to supporting all the human rights abuses in the island," said Cuban-Canadian democracy activist Michael Lima Cuadra.
Interviewed by Exilda Arjona on Radio Martí about the recent protests in Cuba in late September and October, 2022.
Talking about the popular protests in Cuba with Exilda Arjona and Alejandro Marcano in the Tempranito y de Mañana show on Radio Marti. August 3, 2022.
The World Movement for Democracy echoed Democratic Spaces in denouncing the fiscal petitions and wrongful imprisonment of Cuban artists and human rights defenders Maykel Castillo (El Osorbo) and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. We appreciate their valuable support and solidarity.
Michael Lima interviewed by Karlene Media Nation on how vacationing in Cuba finances repression
About the role of the Government of Canada in light of the the July 11 protests July 23. 2021. Michael Lima Cuadra in Pablo Muñoz Iturrieta’s livestream show.
“Dictatorships only respond to pressure.” Michael Lima interviewed by political scientist and writer Julio M. Schilling about petition e-3274 and calls for the Government of Canada to support human rights activists in Cuba. El American. June 10, 2021.
On June 10, 2021 Cubanet published this article written by Katherine Mojena. It is titled: ¨A call to the House of Commons of Canada totake a public stance against human rights violations in Cuba.¨ on June 9, 2021 written by Katherine Mojena. It is sheds light on the petition to the House of Commons of Canada calling upon the Government of Canada to support human rights activists in Cuba and examines the importance of putting pressure on dictatorships.
On May 13, 2021 ADN Cuba published the news about the petition to the Parliament of Canada in support of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, the San Isidro Movement and all human rights activists and dissident artists in Cuba. The petition also urges the Canadian government to publicly condemn the intimidation and arbitrary arrests of activists, it has done in the cases of Venezuela, Belarus and other nations. It also exhorts the Government of Canada to join Amnesty International and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in calling for the release of Aymara Nieto and all political prisoners in Cuba.
On March 22, 2021 the newspaper 14YMedio published the news about the petition to Parliament calling upon the government of Canada to publicly support the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), the San Isidro Movement and all those leading the peaceful struggle for human rights in Cuba.
Michael Lima Cuadra, interviewed on January 22, 2021 by Rosa María Payá founder of the Cubadecide citizen initiative in the talk show ¨Tu Decides¨ broadcasted by Radio Martí on weekends. We talked about the meeting between Cuban Canadian pro democracy activists and Sébastien Sigouin, Director for Central America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic at Global Affairs Canada.
On March 3, 2021 ADN Cuba published Democratic Spaces’ Press Release “Cubans In Canada for Patria y Vida" (Cubanos en Canadá Apoyan Patria y Vida) along with numerous Cuban Canadian organizations in support of Patria y Vida (Homeland and Life) and calling on the Canadian government to support those inside Cuba leading the peaceful struggle for human rights and democracy.
Diario de las Américas published an article on January 30, 2021 titled ¨Migrantes Cubanos en Panamá Viven en Condiciones Infrahumanas¨ (Cuban Migrants in Panama live in inhumane conditions) echoing a report on migrant’s conditions published by Cubains En Liberté and Democratic Spaces in a joint collaboration.
AmericaTeve reported on January 25, 2021 about the initiative in which Democratic Spaces along with other Cuban Canadian pro democratic groups are leading to call on the Canadian government to recognize the regime in Cuba as a dictatorship and offer public support to those leading the peaceful struggle for democracy and human rights in the island.
Michael Lima Cuadra in a livestream on January 21, 2021 with José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba along with Fannia Brito, Ana Belkis Ferrer, José Batista Falcón and Yeilis Torres Cruz. We talked about the recent calls to the government of Canada to recognize that Cuba is ruled by a dictatorial regime.
Interviewed by journalist Alejandro Marcano on Sept 18, 2020 about numerous topics related to the peaceful struggle for democracy in Venezuela and Cuba and the role of the international community.
In a conversation with the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, José Daniel Ferrer and democracy defenders Carlos Amel Oliva and Ernesto Oliva on the legacy and connotations of the Tiananmen Square uprising and subsequent massacre that took place during the months of Abril, May and June of 1989. Tiananmen Square stands outs as the greatest rebellion in the history of resistance to communism.
Michael Lima Cuadra, interviewed on March 4, 2019 by journalist Elsa Cruz from Radio Educación based in Mexico City on the crackdown on peaceful activists unleashed in Cuba before, during and after the Constitutional referendum and the conclusions to be drawn from the results. Interview available in Spanish.
El historiador y activista por los derechos humanos, Michael Lima Cuadra, analiza los resultados del referéndum constitucional en Cuba.
Michael Lima Cuadra, interviewed on June 24, 2019 by journalist Elsa Cruz from Radio Educación based in Mexico City on the forceful expatriations of human rights activists in Cuba.
El historiador y activista por los derechos humanos, Michael Lima Cuadra, analiza los resultados del referéndum constitucional en Cuba. Entrevista con Radio Educación. 24 de junio de 2019.
Michael Lima Cuadra, interviewed on January 5, 2019 by journalist Elsa Cruz from Radio Educación based in Mexico City on the Not One More Campaign.
Entrevista con el investigador cubano y activista por los derechos humanos Michael Lima Cuadra sobre la campaña “Ni1Más” y “Yo voto no”…