Escape from Cuba

I was born in Guanabacoa, a small suburb of Havana, Cuba. From a very young age, I was passionate about literature almost as much as I was about my country's freedom. As I grew up and read, I came to understand the world through books rather than through Communist Party propaganda. I always wanted to write and started early, but it wasn't until now that I had the tools to make it a reality. My writing is my small contribution to the cause of freedom wherever that struggle takes place.Alberto's story was born after my first attempt to escape Cuba and being deported from Mexico back to the Island. Crossing eight countries and traveling more than 2,000 miles by road, boat, and through jungles gave me a unique perspective to bring my literary projects to life, though they haven't yet seen the light of day. Being deported was a difficult experience. For years, the government prevented me from leaving again, notifying me through an agent that I was "regulated." Four years later, I managed to leave, this time to Suriname, where I lived for almost two years. That time allowed me to understand more about Latin America and broaden my cultural knowledge. However, unable to settle there-partly because of Cuba's forceful presence in local politics-I once again embarked on the journey toward freedom, this time crossing twelve countries by land, just like before.Today, I write from exile, with the conviction that words are the best weapons for the people, that men are rescued one by one and not en masse as politicians and impoverishing strongmen would have us believe.