Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Cuban "YouTube Rebel" sentenced to 2 years in prison

A Cuban man who interrupted a TV interview on the streets of Havana to tell people that he was hungry has been sentenced to two years in prison. Juan Carlos González Marcos, known also as "Panfilo", saw his TV rant reach over 400,000 people on YouTube since April. It has become a rallying cry for Cubans trying to shed light on the deteriorating situation in their country.

"What we need here is a little bit of jama [Cuban Spanish slang for food]!" González shouts on camera, according to this report by the Miami Herald. "We're under fire here! Go ahead and tape me! Jama!"



Several prominent Cubans have signed a petition located at www.jamaylibertad.com, advocating for Panfilo's release. On the site, you can see one of the many mash-ups that the interview has inspired on YouTube:

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

2 years in prison for interrupting an interview?

That's cold.

Anonymous said...

I do think that the U.S. Is the reason for poverty in Cuba

Anonymous said...

The reason for poverty is the Castro's dictatorship

Richie said...

How are we the reason when we don't even hold relations wit them??? Castro messed up the country it's his fault not ours! It'll change soon as they begin relations wit us

Anonymous said...

I do not think the US is entirely to blame for the poverty in Cuba. It was actions on both countries parts that led to the current situation and it will be actions from both countries that will help Cuba reduce their poverty. It is possible if they both cooperate, listen, and work together.

Anonymous said...

Of course it's America's fault.....it's ALWAYS America's fault....grow up

Anonymous said...

Like Richie said, the US had nothing to do with that fucked up place called Cuba. Castro and his dictatorship have bled that country dry, and since we have embargos and restrictions on them we will not do anything until Castro relinquishes power. Most cubans want a democratic government and country as a whole, and if done, they will prosper and so will we.

Its as simple as that!

Unknown said...

The reason for poverty and hunger not only in Cuba but in all the Caribbean Islands is the individualism and selfishness of all .. The USA has the power to do as they please with our islands simply because we have granted them our freedom and our lands for their dollars .. it's very unfortunate that this man will spend 2 years in prison just for speaking out in public. Who's fault is it, everybody's ...

Anonymous said...

De q' pobreza hablan si el muy cabron del Castro,tiene billones en lingotes de oro escondidos en los bancos suizos/ y lo mismo le pasara a los pobre venezolanos, por ingnorates y apoyar a otro engendro peor q'Hitler, la diferencia es q' este cerdo ,se crio entre las marraneras en barinas!!! America y el mundo no tiene culpa alguna de las sanciones, muy merecidas impuestas a Cuba !!

White Table Talk Show said...

what about the guys in the hoodie droping the F-bomb while a live report was going

Anonymous said...

Osaliki. Finally someone with a bit of sense. Amen to you.

Anonymous said...

A este hombre se le debe de dar un premio,por decir la pura verdad millones de nosotros debemos pedir a gritos su libertdad imendiata,!

Anonymous said...

If America didn't cut Cuba off for being ignorant and wanting to run the world under only their system then it would be a lot less poor.

Publisher said...

no food in their prison's either. Obama just loosened travel restrictions etc. The USA embargo is silly, Cuba trades with Canada and the entire world -- Satan este El Presidente' de Cuba, Viva Castro ( one of the worlds richest men)

Anonymous said...

Cubans are free to immigrate to the US without restrictions.......if it is that bad there, why do they stay there?

Anonymous said...

"Cubans are free to immigrate to the US without restrictions.......if it is that bad there, why do they stay there?"

It is true that if Cubans can reach American soil, they are free to stay under the "wet feet, dry feet" policy. However, the journey over is usually conducted by smugglers and therefore too expensive for the poor who want to leave and is also frequently fatal. Also, if they are found in the waters between Cuba and the US they face being taken back to Cuba, where they may be punished for leaving, or to a third country.

Don't be ignorant; if cubans could come to the United States in a safe, inexpensive way with minimal risks of it ending badly, then don't you think they would?

Anonymous said...

I think as an American, we should focus on fixing our own issues, sadly, that are tearing our own country apart before we go and try "saving" the world from the evils who control it. That sounds highly ignorant and I don't care if it is, but once OUR problems are solved, helping the world will become so much easier and less harmful to both sides. But I send my deepest sympathy to those poor citizens of that God forsaken land.

Anonymous said...

... think about this. other countries need help. we dont provide help. they get angry. they bomb us. now what?

Richie said...

I do like Cuban women tho LOL

glady said...

Do the Americans think themselves as GOD to others? WTF...

glady said...

Cuba is still struggling on the economic block of 'GOD'. Hats off Cuba...

Anonymous said...

glady you sit very comfortable in this country you critique with anger why dont you go and take your hat off in cuba? The only people who are struggling are the cubans that are deprived of food from the castro regimen who are not suffering and they dont even believe in god. Yes america is god to many other places this is the land where you are free to speak your mind eat what you like and if you work hard live a decent life, so before you open your mouth to speak glady think first!!!

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