February 18, 2008

Only in Cuba

News agencies around the world are reporting the release of four (4) Cuban political prisoners and their arrival in Spain. These four dissidents, reporters Jose Ramon and Alejandro Gonzalez, dissident Omar Pernet, and trade unionist Pedro Alvarez, were among the 75 Cubans arrested five years ago in what has been called La Primavera Negra, the Black Spring.

The release of these four men, and supposedly another three still to come, brings the total of dissidents released by the repressive regime from the Primavera Negra crackdown to 23. It should be noted, however, that the release of these prisoners of conscience from their lengthy jail terms was for reasons of health, not because the regime realized it had erred. Nevertheless, this recent release of innocent dissidents was boisterously announced by Spain’s foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos as proof that dialogue and conciliation with a murderous, repressive regime is the most effective way to achieve better conditions for Cubans.

Now I, for one, am very happy to hear that more prisoners have been released. But I think it would be safe to say that everyone (except castro, Inc.), including thousands of other prisoners of conscience that are languishing in Cuban gulags, would be much happier if all prisoners of conscience were set free. Of course, that is not going to happen while castro, Inc. runs the show in Cuba. But that does not stop people like Moratinos and the mainstream media from falling all over themselves to congratulate the dictatorship for releasing only seven out of the thousands of innocent Cubans who are unjustly being held.

Only in Cuba can a despotic regime do an infinitesimal gesture and receive glorious accolades for it. It is definitely great news that these brave Cuban dissidents have been released, but the truth is they should have never been arrested in the first place.

Moratinos and his cadre of castro, Inc. supporters want to give the dictatorship a slap on the back for releasing only a few of its political prisoners, but as comedian Chris Rock says, “they’re supposed to, you dumb mother-f…”

Posted by Alberto de la Cruz at February 18, 2008 10:18 AM



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Comments

Plus, the point is for them to be released within their own country, not be forced into exile. This way the regime scores points for releasing prisoners without having to deal with their pesky demonstrations for democracy and human rights. The thing is if you are a dissident living abroad, you are instantly discredited. No wonder fidel can convincingly say that the opposition on the island consists of grupusculos (little groups). Most of the opposition is either locked up or set free in the exterior.

Posted by: Henry "Conductor" Gomez [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 18, 2008 10:29 AM

I also agree with Zoe Valdes' opinion, and that is that the current Spanish administration is using the Cuban political prisoners as part of the re-election campaign, not because they give a damn.
Yes it is nice that four more have been released, but there are still many more rotting in jail. This was not a humanitarian move by the Cuban government, this was only to continue the farce that there's a change. While just recently within the last two weeks, they convicted two more dissidents with the charge of "dangerousness".

Posted by: Lori [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 18, 2008 11:13 AM

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