The Courage of the Poet

By 1999 Raúl Rivero was considered a dangerous person in Cuba. His independent journalism, published overseas, reported the tribulations of daily life in Cuba the regime wanted kept quiet. He was an active supporter as well of the independent libraries movement. In a few years he would be charged with collaborating with the United States and sentenced to twenty years in prison. The airport security guard made a phone call, and in minutes another man appeared in the room. He was somber and severe and asked me many more questions. After three hours, I was finally let go, with the warning that it would be wise if I did not visit the people whose names were on the list, notably Rivero.