Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso

Havana, July 23 (RHC)-- Cuban Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso denounced the harassment, blackmail and intimidation that Cuban artists are subjected to, all of which seek to pressure them into denigrating Cuban cultural institutions and the Revolution.

Writing on Twitter, the Cuban official blasted the subversive propaganda unleashed by Cuba enemies and their lackeys on the island, who try unsuccessfully to use the voice and the prestige of Cuban creators.

The Cuban culture minister fully endorsed a statement issued by the Board of the Faculty of Communications and Audiovisual Art of the Higher Institute of the Arts (ISA for its Spanish acronym) and signed by prestigious art professors, urging Cubans to speak out, denounce the violent incidents on July 11th, which sought to destabilize social and political order in the country.

The text notes that Cuba enemies took advantage of the crisis, particularly the shortages of basic commodities, generated by the covid-19 pandemic, further exacerbated by Washington’s nearly 60-year-old blockade policy. It commends the extraordinary efforts by Cuban authorities, health professionals and the people, in general, to confront the pandemic and advance the country’s development amidst adverse circumstances.

The statement issued by the Board of the Faculty of Communications and Audiovisual Art of the Higher Institute of the Arts urges Cubans to honor the country’s Constitution, passed two years ago with the support of 86% of Cubans, which states that defending the homeland is the highest duty and honor of all Cuban citizens.