This is huge news, though I haven't seen anything in the U.S. press yet. It's front page news in the Italian press: prominent Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez was arrested yesterday along with her husband Reinaldo Escobar.
In case you're not familiar with her, Yoani was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2009. She is not so much a political dissident as a citizen who reports the truth of life in Cuba. She is a talented writer and has risked much in her attempt to get the word out through her blog Generación Y.
I happen to know Yoani from my years in Havana. She a warm, wonderful person of a somewhat frail appearance. I worry so much for her, Reinaldo, and especially their son who is a teenager and is (obviously) not with them during their confinement.
The story behind their detainment is only partial, and requires explanation of a more complicated story. I'll be updating here as I get more news. Essentially, Yoani and Reinaldo were in the city of Bayamo yesterday in order to report on a trial involving the young Spanish political activist Angel Carromero, who is accused of homicide in the death of Cuban dissident Osvaldo Payà. Payà and another Cuban dissident died in a car "accident" in July. Most in the dissident community (and not a few diplomats) suspect foul play, but not on the part of the Spanish driver. It was highly suspicious because the accident occurred outside of Havana, or out of the public eye.
Obviously, the U.S. has little influence in political matters in Cuba (at least in a direct way), but Yoani was certainly cordial and in communication with diplomats at the U.S. Interests Section.
When news comes out in the U.S. please facebook and tweet her story. Let's help increase international pressure for Yoani's safe release.
YOANI LIBERA!
UPDATE: Still looking for sources in English, but it is FP on El Nuevo Herald.
Finally, here is the report from the BBC. Still waiting for a U.S. source to report...