Release of Cuban Political Prisoners Only Highlights Communist Repression

Ray Walser / July 08, 2010

The announcement that Cuba’s communist regime intends to free 52 political prisoners over the next few months raises serious questions that require honest answers by the Cuban government and by those anxious to bestow kudos upon Cuban President Raul Castro for these cosmetic and expedient gestures of leniency.

• How many political prisoners? Prominent U.S. Members of Congress—Ileana Ros Lethenen (R–FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R–FL), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R–FL)—warn that, by accepting claims that place the number of Cuban political prisoners at less than 200, the U.S. and the international community are being suckered by the Castro regime. The congressmen correctly note that the actual number of “political prisoners” runs in the thousands and includes those jailed for “farcical criminal charges” such as “peligrosidad” (dangerousness) and desacato a la autoridad” (contempt against authority). (more…)