Cuban blogger Orlando Luis Pardo reported earlier this week on citizen journalism portal All Voices that award-winning writers Manuel García Verdecia and Rafael Vilches Proenza were fired from their jobs and expelled from the local writers union for improper use of the Internet.

Following the news of the assault on Yoani Sánchez and other bloggers by security forces last Friday in Havana, the United States has decided to intervene. Late on Monday, the Department of State issued the following statement, openly denouncing the Cuban government and promising “inquiries” on the status of the bloggers:

Exclusive

Yoani Sánchez, one of the most notorious voices of Cuban dissidence, said she was kidnapped and beaten last Friday by state security agents. Mediaite spoke with Sánchez, who is resting at home — on medical orders — by phone from Havana last night.