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{{Short description|Cuban economist and dissident}}
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'''Óscar Manuel Espinosa Chepe''' (born November 29, 1940) is a [[Cubans|Cuban]] [[economist]] and [[dissident]].<ref name=PEN>{{cite web|url=http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/oscarespinosachepe/|title=Oscar Espinosa Chepe|publisher=English PEN |accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested, tried and convicted in 2003 as part of a [[Black Spring (Cuba)|crackdown by the Cuban government]] nicknamed the "Black Spring". He was given a twenty-year sentence on a charge of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State", causing Amnesty International to declare him as a [[prisoner of conscience]].<ref name="Amnesty-2003 crackdown">{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR25/005/2004|title=Cuba: One year too many: prisoners of conscience from the March 2003 crackdown|publisher=Amnesty International|date=March 16, 2004|accesdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref>
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = Oscar Espinosa Chepe
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|11|29}}
| birth_place=[[Cienfuegos]], [[Cuba]]
| death_date={{Dda|2013|9|23|1940|11|29}}
| death_place=[[Cercedilla]], [[Spain]]
| other_names =
| known_for = reform activism, 2003-2004 imprisonment
| occupation = economist
| spouse = Miriam Leiva
| alma_mater = [[University of Havana]]
⚫
}}

⚫
'''Óscar Manuel Espinosa Chepe''' (November 29, 1940 – September 23, 2013) was a [[Cubans|Cuban]] [[economist]] and [[dissident]].<ref name=PEN>{{cite web|url=http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/oscarespinosachepe/|title=Oscar Espinosa Chepe|publisher=English PEN|accessdate=July 29, 2012|archive-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613195949/http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/oscarespinosachepe/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested, tried and convicted in 2003 as part of a [[Black Spring (Cuba)|crackdown by the Cuban government]] nicknamed the "Black Spring". He was given a twenty-year sentence on a charge of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State", causing Amnesty International to declare him as a [[prisoner of conscience]].<ref name="Amnesty-2003 crackdown">{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR25/005/2004|title=Cuba: One year too many: prisoners of conscience from the March 2003 crackdown|publisher=Amnesty International|date=March 16, 2004|accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
From 1965 until 1968, Espinosa worked in the Economic Advisory Group of [[Prime Minister of Cuba|Prime Minister]] [[Fidel Castro]]. He graduated from the [[University of Havana]] with a degree in economics. From 1970 until 1984, Espinosa was responsible for [[Economy of Cuba|Cuba's economic]], technical and scientific cooperation with [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Hungary]]. He served as economic counselor at the Cuban embassy in [[Belgrade]].
Espinosa was a graduate of the [[University of Havana]], where he received a degree in economics. He served on Prime Minister [[Fidel Castro]]'s Economic Advisory Group from 1965 to 1968 before spending fourteen years as the economic adviser at the Cuban embassy in [[Belgrade]], overseeing Cuba's economic and technological cooperation with Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. In 1984, he returned to Cuba to work at the [[National Bank of Cuba|National Bank]], where he was responsible for trade and tourism.<ref name=CHR />


In the 1980s, Espinosa grew increasingly disillusioned with the Cuban government's economic policies. He then went to work at the main office of the [[Central Bank of Cuba]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} where he was in charge of domestic trade and [[Tourism in Cuba|tourism]]. In 1996 he was reportedly fired. Since then, Espinosa has written many articles, analyses, and commentaries about economic and other matters, most of which have been critical of the government’s policies and have contradicted official government reports. Barred from publishing articles in Cuba, Espinosa submitted them for publication in various international journals. For over five years, he also hosted a weekly radio segment, entitled "Charlando con Chepe" (Chatting with Chepe), for [[Radio Martí]], a U.S.-supported station which broadcasts into Cuba. In these segments he reportedly commented on various aspects of the Cuban economy.
However, throughout the 1980s, Espinosa increasingly disagreed with national economic policy. When he discussed his views with a colleague in 1992, he was demoted, and four years later was fired. Espinosa began to write critiques of Cuban economic policy which he published overseas. He also hosted a radio program titled ''Charlando con Chepe'' ("Chatting with Chepe") in which he discussed the Cuban economy; the program was carried on the U.S.-funded station [[Radio Martí]].<ref name=CHR />

Espinosa was married to independent Cuban journalist Miriam Leiva.<ref name=NYT326>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/26/opinion/26iht-edmiriam_ed3_.html |title=EU and Havana: Too close to Castro |author=Miriam Leiva |date=March 26, 2003 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref>


==Arrest and trial==
==Arrest and trial==
On March 19, 2003, Espinosa was arrested during the [[Black Spring (Cuba)|Black Spring]] after security agents reportedly spent 10 hours searching his apartment. At a trial on April 3, 2003, Espinosa was accused of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State".<ref name=PEN /> The authorities also alleged that Espinosa had been receiving money from abroad, collecting press clippings about meetings between representatives of the United States and Cuban dissidents, and other activities. The government alleged that it found US$13,600 sewn into the lining of a jacket while searching Espinosa’s home and that the money came from the U.S. government. Espinosa was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.<ref name=PEN /> He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested and tried.<ref name="Amnesty-2003 crackdown"/>
On March 19, 2003, Espinosa was arrested during the [[Black Spring (Cuba)|Black Spring]] after security agents reportedly spent 10 hours searching his apartment.<ref name=NYT326 /> At a trial on April 3, 2003, Espinosa was accused of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State".<ref name=PEN /> Authorities stated that Espinosa had received money from the U.S. government, and that
US$13,600 had been discovered sewn into one of his jackets.<ref name=CHR /> Espinosa was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.<ref name=PEN /> He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested and tried.<ref name="Amnesty-2003 crackdown"/>


Following a rejected appeal by Espinosa, the Representative of the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]], [[Christine Chanet]], appealed to President Castro to pardon him.<ref name=CHR>{{cite web |url=http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/humanrights/PGA_043973 |title=Case Information: Oscar Manual Espinosa Chepe |year=2012 |publisher=National Academy of Sciences Committee on Human Rights |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref> The administration of U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] appealed to Castro on Espinosa's behalf, calling on the government to provide treatment for his liver disease. A spokesman described the Cuban government as "going out of its way" to be inhumane to its prisoners.<ref name=NYT36>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/03/world/treat-dissident-us-tells-cuba.html |title=Treat Dissident, U.S. Tells Cuba |date=June 3, 2003 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref> Espinosa's wife Leiva reported that he had lost forty pounds since his arrest and was kept in a cell with no windows or running water.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-feb-15-fg-cuba15-story.html |title=Cuban Dissidents Reportedly Face Harsh Jail Conditions |date=February 15, 2004 |agency=Times Wire Service |work=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref>
Following a rejected appeal by Espinosa, the Representative of the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]], [[Christine Chanet]], issued an appeal to the [[President of Cuba]] urging him to exercise his right of pardon on their behalf.

Leiva became active in the [[Ladies in White]], a group of wives of political prisoners which marched through Havana each Sunday protesting their husbands' detention. She continued to march even after Espinosa's early release.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-15-adfg-cuba15-story.html |title=A dose of free speech, Cuba-style |author=Will Weissert |date=July 15, 2007 |work=The Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref>


== Release ==
== Release ==
Espinosa was released from prison along with fellow writer [[Raúl Rivero]] on November 29, 2004, after serving just over 19 months of his prison sentence;<ref name=IFEX>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifex.org/cuba/2004/12/01/writer_ra_l_rivero_and_journalist/ |title=Writer Raúl Rivero and journalist Oscar Espinosa Chepe released from prison |date=December 1, 2004 |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists |accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> It was his sixty-fourth birthday.<ref name=BBC2911>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4053581.stm |title=Cuba frees political dissidents |date=November 29, 2004 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> The authorities granted him [[medical parole]] because his already poor health had declined seriously during his incarceration.<ref name=PEN/>
Espinosa was released from prison along with fellow writer [[Raúl Rivero]] on November 29, 2004, after serving just over 19 months of his prison sentence;<ref name=IFEX>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifex.org/cuba/2004/12/01/writer_ra_l_rivero_and_journalist/ |title=Writer Raúl Rivero and journalist Oscar Espinosa Chepe released from prison |date=December 1, 2004 |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists |accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> It was his sixty-fourth birthday.<ref name=BBC2911>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4053581.stm |title=Cuba frees political dissidents |date=November 29, 2004 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref> The authorities granted him [[medical parole]] because his already poor health had declined seriously during his incarceration.<ref name=PEN/>


After his release, he called on the government to release the remaining Black Spring prisoners, stating, "The government really committed a very big error with us. We are completely peaceful and we want only the reconciliation of Cuban society."<ref name=BBC2911 />
After his release, he called on the government to release the remaining Black Spring prisoners, stating, "The government really committed a very big error with us. We are completely peaceful and we want only the reconciliation of Cuban society."<ref name=BBC2911 />


In 2006, Espinosa stated his opposition to U.S. funding for the Cuban dissident movement, calling it "counterproductive" and stating that the Cuban people must solve its own problems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/07/060711_usapprovescubaplan.shtml |title=US approves Cuba "democracy" plan |date=11 December 2006 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref>
In 2006, Espinosa stated his opposition to U.S. funding for the Cuban dissident movement, calling it "counterproductive" and stating that the Cuban people must solve its own problems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/07/060711_usapprovescubaplan.shtml |title=US approves Cuba "democracy" plan |date=11 December 2006 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref> Following [[Raúl Castro]]'s assumption of the presidency, Espinosa expressed his hope that Castro could be the [[Deng Xiaoping]] of Cuba, improving the economy and the [[standard of living]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/world/americas/11iht-letter.2450029.html |title=Letter from Cuba: With Castro sidelined, hope mixes with fear - Americas - International Herald Tribune |author=Anthony Boadle |date=August 11, 2008 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref>

==Death==
He died of liver disease on September 23, 2013, in Spain.<ref>{{cite news|author=Andrea Rodriguez and — Associated Press |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/oscar-espinosa-chepe-cuban-economist-imprisoned-during-the-black-spring-dies-at-72/2013/09/23/0f5cd8bc-246e-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story.html |title=Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Cuban economist imprisoned during the Black Spring, dies at 72 |work=The Washington Post |date= September 23, 2013|accessdate=2013-09-25}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|author=Óscar Espinosa Chepe|title=Cuba: ¿revolución o involución? : la realidad cubana de cara a los "Objetivos de desarrollo para el Milenio" acordados en Naciones Unidas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cEW5AAAAIAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Aduana Vieja|isbn=978-84-935219-6-7}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
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| NAME = Espinosa, Oscar
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = November 29, 1940
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinosa, Oscar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinosa, Oscar}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:Amnesty International prisoners of conscience]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Cuba]]
[[Category:Cuban democracy activists]]
[[Category:Cuban democracy activists]]
[[Category:Cuban dissidents]]
[[Category:Cuban dissidents]]
[[Category:Cuban economists]]
[[Category:Cuban economists]]
[[Category:Cuban journalists]]
[[Category:Cuban journalists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cuban male journalists]]
[[Category:Opposition to Fidel Castro]]
[[Category:Opposition to Fidel Castro]]
[[Category:University of Havana alumni]]

[[Category:Deaths from liver disease]]
[[vi:Oscar Espinosa Chepe]]
[[Category:Cuban prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Black Spring detainees]]
[[Category:Political prisoners in Cuba]]

Latest revision as of 09:11, 15 August 2024

Oscar Espinosa Chepe
Born(1940-11-29)November 29, 1940
Cienfuegos, Cuba
DiedSeptember 23, 2013(2013-09-23) (aged 72)
Cercedilla, Spain
Alma materUniversity of Havana
Occupationeconomist
Known forreform activism, 2003-2004 imprisonment
SpouseMiriam Leiva

Óscar Manuel Espinosa Chepe (November 29, 1940 – September 23, 2013) was a Cuban economist and dissident.[1] He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested, tried and convicted in 2003 as part of a crackdown by the Cuban government nicknamed the "Black Spring". He was given a twenty-year sentence on a charge of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State", causing Amnesty International to declare him as a prisoner of conscience.[2]

Background

[edit]

Espinosa was a graduate of the University of Havana, where he received a degree in economics. He served on Prime Minister Fidel Castro's Economic Advisory Group from 1965 to 1968 before spending fourteen years as the economic adviser at the Cuban embassy in Belgrade, overseeing Cuba's economic and technological cooperation with Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. In 1984, he returned to Cuba to work at the National Bank, where he was responsible for trade and tourism.[3]

However, throughout the 1980s, Espinosa increasingly disagreed with national economic policy. When he discussed his views with a colleague in 1992, he was demoted, and four years later was fired. Espinosa began to write critiques of Cuban economic policy which he published overseas. He also hosted a radio program titled Charlando con Chepe ("Chatting with Chepe") in which he discussed the Cuban economy; the program was carried on the U.S.-funded station Radio Martí.[3]

Espinosa was married to independent Cuban journalist Miriam Leiva.[4]

Arrest and trial

[edit]

On March 19, 2003, Espinosa was arrested during the Black Spring after security agents reportedly spent 10 hours searching his apartment.[4] At a trial on April 3, 2003, Espinosa was accused of "activities against the integrity and sovereignty of the State".[1] Authorities stated that Espinosa had received money from the U.S. government, and that US$13,600 had been discovered sewn into one of his jackets.[3] Espinosa was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.[1] He was one of approximately 75 dissidents arrested and tried.[2]

Following a rejected appeal by Espinosa, the Representative of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Christine Chanet, appealed to President Castro to pardon him.[3] The administration of U.S. President George W. Bush appealed to Castro on Espinosa's behalf, calling on the government to provide treatment for his liver disease. A spokesman described the Cuban government as "going out of its way" to be inhumane to its prisoners.[5] Espinosa's wife Leiva reported that he had lost forty pounds since his arrest and was kept in a cell with no windows or running water.[6]

Leiva became active in the Ladies in White, a group of wives of political prisoners which marched through Havana each Sunday protesting their husbands' detention. She continued to march even after Espinosa's early release.[7]

Release

[edit]

Espinosa was released from prison along with fellow writer Raúl Rivero on November 29, 2004, after serving just over 19 months of his prison sentence;[8] It was his sixty-fourth birthday.[9] The authorities granted him medical parole because his already poor health had declined seriously during his incarceration.[1]

After his release, he called on the government to release the remaining Black Spring prisoners, stating, "The government really committed a very big error with us. We are completely peaceful and we want only the reconciliation of Cuban society."[9]

In 2006, Espinosa stated his opposition to U.S. funding for the Cuban dissident movement, calling it "counterproductive" and stating that the Cuban people must solve its own problems.[10] Following Raúl Castro's assumption of the presidency, Espinosa expressed his hope that Castro could be the Deng Xiaoping of Cuba, improving the economy and the standard of living.[11]

Death

[edit]

He died of liver disease on September 23, 2013, in Spain.[12]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Óscar Espinosa Chepe (2007). Cuba: ¿revolución o involución? : la realidad cubana de cara a los "Objetivos de desarrollo para el Milenio" acordados en Naciones Unidas. Aduana Vieja. ISBN 978-84-935219-6-7.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Oscar Espinosa Chepe". English PEN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Cuba: One year too many: prisoners of conscience from the March 2003 crackdown". Amnesty International. March 16, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Case Information: Oscar Manual Espinosa Chepe". National Academy of Sciences Committee on Human Rights. 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b Miriam Leiva (March 26, 2003). "EU and Havana: Too close to Castro". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Treat Dissident, U.S. Tells Cuba". The New York Times. June 3, 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Cuban Dissidents Reportedly Face Harsh Jail Conditions". The Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Service. February 15, 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  7. ^ Will Weissert (July 15, 2007). "A dose of free speech, Cuba-style". The Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Writer Raúl Rivero and journalist Oscar Espinosa Chepe released from prison". Committee to Protect Journalists. December 1, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Cuba frees political dissidents". BBC News. November 29, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  10. ^ "US approves Cuba "democracy" plan". BBC News. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  11. ^ Anthony Boadle (August 11, 2008). "Letter from Cuba: With Castro sidelined, hope mixes with fear - Americas - International Herald Tribune". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  12. ^ Andrea Rodriguez and — Associated Press (September 23, 2013). "Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Cuban economist imprisoned during the Black Spring, dies at 72". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
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