is a Cuban writer, intellectual and politician known for his career as Cuba’s Minister of Culture for several years and current president of the Casa de las Américas in Havana. He is distinguished by his defence of culture as a tool for emancipation and his critical view of globalisation and cultural colonisation, promoting the programme “Sembrar ideas, sembrar conciencia “ (Sowing ideas, sowing awareness). Deputy in the National Assembly of People’s Power. At the forefront of the anti-fascist and anti-imperialist struggle. Member of the network of intellectuals, artists and social movements ‘In Defence of Humanity”, an initiative he has been promoting since 2003.