Repeating Islands

Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez, who has gained international attention for her searing commentary about life in Cuba, said she was briefly detained Friday and warned by state security agents about her opposition activity. Sánchez told The Associated Press that two state agents in civilian clothes stopped her in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood as she and several friends made their way to a protest march in central Havana. The agents ordered her and one of her friends to get into their car and pulled her hair and kicked her when she initially refused. “It was very violent,” she said. Once in the car, Sánchez said, the agents told her she had gone too far with her writings, which vividly tells of problems of a country where the government controls nearly all aspects of life. After issuing their warning, the agents let her and her friend go.

The Cuban government had no immediate comment, and it was impossible to independently verify Sánchez’s charges. Many Cuban opposition leaders say they are harassed from time to time by the state, particularly if they try to attend or plan street demonstrations. Earlier this year, Time magazine named Sánchez one of the world’s 100 most influential people. In October, the government denied her permission to travel to New York to receive a top journalism prize, the second time this year she has been refused permission to leave the island.

For more go to http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ieny-Uk_U9cLHJElw4J198MjzspQD9BQDLD80