Cartoonists from Cuba and Algeria at U.S. Confab

By: Dave Astor The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) has two interesting guests at its convention here -- a cartoonist from Algeria and another who recently defected from Cuba.

Ali Dilam has been arrested six times for satirizing Algerian officials. "It is important for me to be here because it gives me added protection," he said.

Also in attendance is Gustavo "Garrincha" Rodriguez, who now lives in Florida after defecting from Cuba via Mexico. Paul Fell, who does cartoons for the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star, recalled that a number of AAECers first met Rodriguez during a cartoonists' trip to Cuba in 1999.

Rodriguez said Cuban cartoonists aren't allowed to do certain kinds of commentary, including criticizing Fidel Castro. He added that Castro at times has taken a hands-on approach to publication content; according to Rodriguez, Castro used to have the "x" in Richard Nixon's name changed to a swastika when type was set.

American cartoonists face certain restrictions from their corporate-owned newspapers, continued Rodriguez, but at least their editors are trained journalists. "In Cuba," said Rodriguez, "all the editors are party members."