Estado de SATS Guests Detained en route to Event

HAVANA TIMES, April 9 — Four individuals were arrested on Saturday in Havana by Cuban authorities when they tried to attend a meeting of the Estado de SATS media project.

Those detained were librarian Omayda Padron, her daughter, and activists Juan Antonio Madrazo Calvo and Leonardo Cardenas.

According to statements to the Cubaencuentro website from Estado de SATS organizer, Antonio G. Rodiles, the gathering sought to “express and show solidarity” with those who “suffered repressive actions” during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the island.

“Social actors and activists have a duty to reveal the situation of helplessness that confronts any Cuban citizen when they decide to openly demand or exercise their most basic rights,” read a statement released this week by the group.