Cuban protesters on liquids-only fast

HAVANA, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- One of nine Cuban protesters holed up in a Havana home for 36 days says the political dissidents are now taking part in a liquids-only fast.

Protester Lazaro Yuri Valle Roca told CNN Friday after beginning the fast this week, one of the dissidents was ordered to return home for health reasons by a doctor.

The doctor also urged the sole protester engaged in a full hunger strike to begin consuming fluids, Valle Roca said.

Valle Roca said despite the doctor's recommendations, the protesters remain committed to calling for increased rights for citizens of the Communist island nation.

"We remain firm in our decision and our disposition is to go forward," he said.

Ann Louise Bardach, author of "Without Fidel: A Death Foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington," said the protesters represent a new generation of dissidents putting their lives on the line for freedom.

"They're doing something quite risky," Bardach told CNN. "They can all go to jail now for a long time."

Among the nine protesters is Vladimiro Roca Antunez, former Cuban Revolution figure Blas Roca's son.