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April 30, 2001 The Children of Political Prisoners and Oppositionists Express Themselves - Part II by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Guantanamo, Cuba April 26, 2001 The young lady Mairielis Olivares Herrera, 14 years old, daughter of Elvis Olivares Osoria, sentenced in Case #7 in 1994. This girl stated: "I felt a very intense pain deep in my heart, because they were taking the person that I love most in my life. "When they would take me to see him I would feel very happy because several months would go by without seeing him. I did not know what to do - if to cry, run; I felt alot of excitement, but at the same time I felt pity and shame to see my father locked up there, suffering for not being able to be with us and give us his warmth. "When I see the police I feel hatred and pain, to see that they are the ones that took my father and they made him suffer all of the time he was locked up." Pedro Santiago Castro Márquez, a 10 year old boy, son of Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, sentenced in case #31 in the year 1995 and #124 in the year 1999, and Ileana Márquez Sabalcar, who live at calle Pedro Agustín Pérez #456 between 3 and 4 north. This boy stated: "My father says I am an "oppositionist's offspring". The police arrests him many time. One day, I saw how in my home some police pointed a pistol to his head, I thought they were going to shoot him. If I had a rifle, I would kill those policemen. "I would go with my mother to see my father and we had to walk alot to be with him only for a little while." From Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of Democratic Party 30th of November "Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre". Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 27, 2001
The Children of Oppositionists and Political Prisoners Express Themselves - Part I
by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Guantanamo, Cuba Randy Quintana Cisneros, 10 year old son of Eduardo Alberto Quintana Argüelles, sentenced in Case No. #221 in the year 1999 and of Rosa Cisneros, who live at calle Pedro Pérez #114, between 10 and 11 north. This little boy expressed that he is very scared that something is going to happen to his father. "People say on the phone that they are going to kill him, the police killed my grandfather. I have heard my father talking with my mother." Little Rachel Quintana Cisneros, daughter of Eduardo and Rosa, said: "bad men want to kill my father, I love him very much, he is good to me, if something happens to him I will also die." Caris Martínez Corcova, a 9 year old boy, who lives at 3 Norte, #115, esquina 5 Oeste, son of Alberto Martínez Fernández, sentenced in Case #7 in the year 1994, expressed: “when they come to get my father to arrest him, I am very scared, because I think they are going to shoot him. When it was time to visit my father, I would not sleep so that time would go by quickly and my mother would not leave me. On one of the visits to see my father they did not let us see him and my mother and me cried very much. When they would allow me to see him, I would get very happy but when the visit was over I would get scared because I thought that were going to lock me up with him." From Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of the Democratic Party 30th of November "Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre". Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo from the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami.
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April 26, 2001
The Daughters of a Political Prisoner Jannet Guerra Vázquez, 14 years old, daughter of José Antonio Guerra Domínguez, sanctioned under Case #735 in the year 1993 and of Elena de la Caridad Vázquez Enríquez, resident of Santa Rita Street #814, between Prado and Aguilera. This young girl said: “I think about the life of a dissident which my father has lead, I have suffered as much as he. I have witnessed the sieges, the rough treatment and threats of which he has been a victim. When I was barely eight years old I went through the huge sadness of seeing how my father was captured. Every day, before going to sleep, I would cry missing him, being that I did not have him by my side to love me and to be as understanding as he is always. On another occasion, I saw how some men sitting across from his house were watching everything he did. I was very scared, because even though my parents wanted to keep me out of the problem, I would still sense it. Actually, I am also being greatly affected - because of my parents’ way of thinking I have had big difficulties at school, where professors and students us me to serve as example, in spite of being a disciplined student that makes good grades. This situation has affected me psychologically bringing on a depressive state, according to the diagnosis of the psychologist.” Elena Amanda Guerra, also the daughter of José Antonio and Elena de la Caridad, said: “when I was seven years old, I remember with great sadness when my father was captured. I remember the worst time for me was at nighttime, when I would go to sleep, knowing that he was not there. Many times I saw my mother, trying to hide her tears when we would ask when was my father coming home. Since then we have endured many difficulties, because since my father’s release from jail they have never allowed him to go back to work, he is followed, and he is detained every once in a while. All of this makes me very nervous, because I would not like for him to be arrested again.” From Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami.
Las hijas de un preso político
Por Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Guantanamo, Cuba Jannet Guerra Vázquez, de 14 años de edad, hija de José Antonio Guerra Domínguez, sancionado en la causa #735 del año 93 y de Elena de la Caridad Vázquez Enríquez, vecina de la calle Santa Rita #814, entre Prado y Aguilera. Esta niña manifiesta: “pienso en la vida disidente que ha llevado mi papá, he sufrido tanto como él. Yo he presenciado los asedios, maltratos, y amenazas de la cual ha sido víctima. Cuando apenas tenía ocho años pasé por la gran tristeza de ver cómo apresaban a mi padre. Todos los días antes de dormir lloraba por el, ya que no lo tenía a mi lado dándome cariño y siendo tan comprensivo como siempre. En otra ocasión vi como unos hombres sentado frente a su casa vigilaban todos sus movimientos. Yo tenía mucho miedo, porque aunque mis padres me quisieron tener ajena al problema, yo me daba cuenta. Actualmente yo también estoy siendo afectada grandemente, porque debido a la manera de mis padres pensar he tenido dificultades en la escuela, donde profesores y estudiantes me han sometido a especie de juicio ejemplarizante, a pesar de ser una alumna disciplinada y de buenas notas. Situación que me ha afectado sicológicamente provocando en mi un estado de ánimo depresivo, según el diagnostico de la doctora sicóloga.” Elena Amanda Guerra, también hija de José Antonio y Elena de la Caridad, manifiesta: “cuando yo tenía siete años de edad, recuerdo con mucha tristeza cuando mi papá fue apresado. Lo peor de todo lo que recuerdo era por las noches, cuando iba a dormir, que el no estaba. Muchas veces vi a mi mamá, como se ocultaba para llorar cuando le preguntábamos cuándo venía mi papá. Desde entonces hemos pasado muchas dificultades, porque desde que mi papá salió de la cárcel nunca lo han dejado trabajar y lo persiguen, y lo detienen a cada rato. Todo eso me pone muy nerviosa, porque yo no quisiera que el cayera preso de nuevo.” Desde Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre. Recibida vía telefónica por Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami.
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April 27, 2001
Mama, Hit Them! Vilma Díaz Fernández, the 4 year old daughter of Luis Díaz Sánchez and Vilma Fernández Rivero, resident of Building S, Apt. 858, Reparto Obrero. This small child was present during an attack at the hands of the police, against her father, who is the national acting president of the Youth for Democracy Movement “Movimiento de Jóvenes por la Democracia”, and also against Néstor Rodríguez Lobaina. She was on her bicycle at the moment when the violent attack commenced against both of these oppositionists. She began crying, something which the Security of the State Police did not take into account and what made it even more blatant was that the attack took place in a central street in Guantánamo - in the morning at plain view. There were many witnesses to what was taking place. The little girl was in the middle of the commotion between oppositionists and the combined authorities of the police and state security. In a decisive move, a young girl took the little girl from the bicycle and then a member of the state security took the little girl away from her. One hour later, she was taken home by two officials from the Department of the Security of the State in a “Lada” car. Her mother, Vilma Fernández Rivero, opened the door. When the officials reached the front door they asked “to whom does this pretty girl belong”. While the mother picked her up, the little girl, said crying : “Mamá! Mamá! Hit them! Hit them! They hit Papá! They killed Tío Néstor!
From Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre.” Received by telephone Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. ¡Mamá! ¡métele!
Por Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller Vilma Díaz Fernández, de 4 años de edad, hija de Luis Díaz Sánchez y Vilma Fernández Rivero, Vecina del edificio S, apt. 858, Reparto Obrero. Esta pequeña presenció cuando en un operativo la policía actuó sobre su padre, que actualmente es el presidente nacional en funciones del Movimiento de Jóvenes por la Democracia, y Néstor Rodríguez Lobaina. En ese momento ella se encontraba sentada en la bicicleta, cuando en este operativo violento contra estos dos opositores, empezó a llorar, cosa que no respetaron los policías del Departamento de la Seguridad del Estado y más en una calle céntrica de Guantánamo. En plena mañana. Ya habían muchos presenciando lo que estaba ocurriendo y la niña estaba en medio de aquel ajetreo entre opositores y las autoridades combinada entre la policía y la seguridad del estado. Una muchacha se decide, y coge a la niña de la bicicleta; un mimbro de la seguridad se la quita. Una hora después fue llevada para la casa de sus padres por dos oficiales del Departamento de la Seguridad del Estado en un auto Lada. Quien la recibió fue la madre, Vilma Fernández Rivero. Cuando estos señores llegaron a la puerta de la casa preguntaron que de quien era esa niña tan linda. Al recogerla la madre, la niña llorando dijo: “¡mamá! ¡mamá! ¡métele! ¡métele! ¡papá golpe! ¡mataron a tío Néstor! Desde Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre. Recibida vía telefónica por Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami.
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April 26, 2001
Herrera Lobaina Driven to Department of Technical Investigations Yusimí Marané Alvarez, the wife of ex-political prisoner Donis Herrera Lobaina, reported that her husband left the house at 7:30 a.m. on April 18, 2001, located at “calle 4 este, entre 3 y 4 norte,” to go to his grandmother’s house located at “Calixto García, entre 3 y 4 sur.” At 2:30 pm on the same day, a young man went to his house and informed her that he had seen her husband in the Department of Technical Investigations (Departamento Técnico de Investigaciones “DTI”). Yusimi called that Department and they told her that her husband had not been there. But as luck would have it, her father was a witness to Herrera Lobaina being taken in a patrol car to the Operations Department of the Security of the State. His wife went there later and asked about her husband’s situation and the reason he was there, to which the official which was there said that as of yet, they did not have someone handling the case, and therefore they could not give her any kind of information. As of the date of this report, 7:30 pm, April 19, this young lady did not have any news from her husband . From Guantánamo, Cuba, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”, received vía telefone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami.
Conducen a Herrera Lobaina al DTI Por Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller 24 de abril de 2001 Yusimí Marané Alvarez, esposa del ex-prisionero político Donis Herrera Lobaina, expresa que su esposo salió a las 7:30 de la mañana del 18 de abril del 2001 de su casa, cito en la calle 4 este, entre 3 y 4 norte, con destino a casa de su abuela, cito en la calle Calixto García, entre 3 y 4 sur. A las 2:30 de la tarde, de ese mismo día, un joven vino a su casa y le informó que había visto en el DTI (Departamento Técnico de Investigaciones) a su esposo. Ella llamó a ese departamento y le dijeron que su esposo no había estado allí. Pero por suerte de la vida, el padre de ella pudo ver cuando Herrera Lobaina era conducido en un carro patrullero para el departamento de operaciones de la seguridad del estado, donde ella se presentó mas tarde y preguntó por la situación de su esposo y la razón por qué estaba allí, a lo que el oficial que estaba en la puerta de ese departamento le dijo que aun no tenía instructor para el caso, por lo que no podían dar ningún tipo de información. Hasta la fecha del cierre de esta noticia, 7:30 de la noche del 19 de abril, esta joven aún no tenía noticia de su esposo. Desde Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre. Recibida vía telefónica por Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami.
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April 25, 2001
Innocent Woman is Homeless after Home is Confiscated by Cuban Government by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Guantanamo, Cuba April 22, 2001 On April 9, Mrs. Virgen Odalys Pardo Serramo, resident of the key, in Santiago de Cuba, by chance met a foreign couple, a Spaniard and a Czechoslovakian. It was raining so she allowed them to come into her home and from there their friendship began. They spent the night in her home and in the morning they went to Baracoa, where upon their return they went again to her house and stayed there again. In the morning Mrs. Virgen Odalys received a citation from the Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs, wherein she was notified that her house had been confiscated and that she had to look for another place to live, and also was fined $1,000. All of this was notified by Captain Pan, whom in addition, gave her a lecture threatening her that upon making the same mistake, if she gets a new home, she would again be fined and lose her home. In addition, she would be left to the disposition of the courts, sentenced and put behind bars. This is the dictatorship of the autocrat Fidel Castro.
Agression Against Innocent Resident in Santiago de Cuba by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Guantanamo, Cuba April 22, 2001 Mrs. Maritza Justi, who lives at Calle Hatuey # 19, between Guarina and Yarine, in the neighborhood of San Pedrito, Santiago de Cuba, became a victim to an aggressive act at the hands of Capitán Urquía, Area Chief and the Lieutenant Marcelino, Official of the “PNR”, they ripped the telephone line which is her property, because from same line, the oppositionist Reinaldo Samos Olivera, delegate of the Democratic Party 30th of November “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre” in that city, was making telephone calls denouncing the Castro regime.
From Guantánamo, Cuba, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 25, 2001
Oppositionist is Expelled from Work because of his Political Opinions By Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller April 22, 2001 (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) Marcelo Yotis Abreu Artiga, a young 22 year old man, married and father of a 16 month old child, who was a worker in the plastics art field, was expelled from his job for expressing his opinion against the government of the dictator Fidel Castro. On the 4th of April the center’s director, Mr. Santiago Pérez, expressed in a plastic art union meeting that the political police had told him that this young man was a hostile element to the revolution, and for that reason he could not continue working at that place. The repressive system of the autocrat Fidel Castro has left this young family man adrift without having prospects of an honest job to sustain his family, because no matter where he goes the same thing will happen, forcing him in the future to commit some dishonest act to be able to live.
The Threats Continue (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) The strong threats continue against the pacifist oppositionist Eduardo Alberto Quintana Arbuch, Public Relations Secretary of the Religious Affairs of the Delegation of the Democratic Party 30th of November “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre” in Guantánamo and Director of the Center of Information on Democracy located in his home. This brave brother in our fight in opposition to the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, whose father was assassinated in 1974, at the age of 36, by the henchmen of the governmental service aforementioned, finds himself pressured by the terror of which his wife and two small children are victims of, they have answered the telephone to recent anonymous calls threatening them with the death of this brother.
From Guantánamo, Cuba, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 23, 2001
Mangled in Mine Field by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller April 22, 2001 (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) In the frontier perimeter with the Guantanamo Naval Base, during the early hours of dawn on Wednesday, April 11, three youngsters from the Province of Santiago de Cuba, in a desperate attempt at freedom, tried reaching this North American Military enclave, when one of them fatally stepped on one of those lethal artifacts (land mines) rendering him totally mangled and unrecognizable. Another one of three reached the naval base and the last one is presently jailed, his location is unknown. This case is being handled directly by the maximum direction of the State Security Department in this province, which is why there is very limited information. The cemetery where victim’s dismembered remains are, awaiting family members, was heavily guarded by combined forces of the state security, the police, the special brigade and the rapid response brigade, impeding the public from getting anywhere near. On another incident: On the morning of Tuesday, 16th of April, 2001, the largest mine field in the world, located in this province, which has no military objective, claimed another victim. On this occasion, a young man wearing a military camouflage uniform was mangled from the waste down by one of these lethal artifacts, dying in the Provincial Hospital of Guantanamo in the morning hours, where he was heavily guarded by boarder patrol officers. It appears that this young man belonged to the military, whom not knowing the mined field, tried reaching the naval base and it cost him his life. The personal information of this young man is being carefully controlled by the department of legal medicine of the ministry of the interior. From Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami.
Destrozados en Campo Minado Por Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller 22 de abril de 2001 En el perímetro fronterizo con la base naval de Guantánamo, en esta ocasión en horas de la madrugada del miércoles 11 de abril, tres jóvenes procedentes de la provincia Santiago de Cuba, en un intento desesperado en busca de libertad, trataron de llegar a este enclave militar norte americano, cuando uno pisó fatalmente uno de esos artefactos letales quedando totalmente destrozado he irreconocible. Otro logró llegar a territorio de la base naval y el último se encuentra preso, desconociéndose el lugar donde lo tienen. Este caso esta siendo atendido directamente por la máxima dirección del departamento de la Seguridad del Estado en esta provincia, por lo que la información es totalmente limitada. El cementerio donde se encontraban los restos descuartizados de la víctima, en espera de sus familiares, estuvo fuertemente custodiado por fuerzas conjuntas de la seguridad del estado, la policía, la brigada especial y la brigada de respuesta rápida, impidiendo que la ciudadanía se acercara al lugar. En otra nota: En la mañana del martes 16 de abril de 2001 cobra otra víctima el mayor campo minado del mundo, que no cumple objetivo militar, radicado en esta provincia. En esta ocasión, un joven que vestía uniforme militar de camuflaje, fue destrozado por estos artefactos letales de la cintura para abajo, muriendo en el hospital provincial de Guantánamo en horas de la mañana, donde estuvo fuertemente custodiado por efectivos de guarda fronteras. Al parecer este joven era un militar que, desconociendo el campo minado, trató de llegar a la base naval, costándole la vida. Pero, los datos personales de este joven están celosamente controlados por el departamento de medicina legal del ministerio del interior. Desde Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre. Recibida vía telefónica por Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami.
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April 22, 2001
Independent Journalist is Missing (HAVANA, CUBA) Luis Osvaldo Manzaneira Cúcalo, independent journalist from the Center of Information on Democracy (El Centro de Información Sobre Democracia), was taken from his mother’s side at 8:30 pm, Monday, April 16th. On today’s date, Mercedes Clementina Constantin Figueroa, from the aforementioned Center of Information, made this denouncement by telephone to Martha Tamargo, his whereabouts are unknown. Mercedes said: “he left here at 5:20, at 8:30 he was taken from next to his mother, they have looked for him at all of the prisons, “100 y Aldabó”, “Villa Marista”, and Cúcalo is nowhere to be found, they will not say where he is.” She adds: “Cúcalo’s mother is a 60 year old lady, who is physically handicapped and is diabetic. She is very worried and has a very high sugar count.” According to Mercedes Clementina they are worried that this will be like the case of Bruzón, of whom they knew nothing of for 9 days, and because of the torture he endured he was left with a trembling arm. The case being referred to is that of Leonardo Miguel Bruzón Ávila, President of the Human Rights Movement February 24 (Movimiento Pro Derechos Humanos 24 de Febrero) and director of the Independent Library 24th of February (24 de Febrero), whom was taken from his house on December 3, 2000 and he was held until February 1, 2001, having been in the prison “100 y Aldabó”, in the military hospital Marianao, in the political police headquarters of Villa Marista and in the prison of Valle Grande. Bruzón Ávila was held handcuffed, naked, to the solitary jail cell bars during four days, wherein the water level reached under his knees, which is what caused the aforementioned tremors. After this, he was put into a cold room for two days that caused his ailments to worsen. In additional to all of this, Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” remains in the hospital in critical condition and his family and friends are across the place in protest. In conclusion Mercedes Clementina said: “This has gotten more grave”.
Pablo Rodríguez Carvajal |
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April 22, 2001
Larrazábal Zulueta in Fragile Health Condition By Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller April 19 2001 (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) On April 10th, the political prisoner Jorge Luis Larrazábal Zulueta was taken to the infirmary of the Provincial Prison of Guantánamo due to sharp and constant pains in the chest, the attending physician expressed that he was not taking responsibility for his health due to the fact that Larrazábal Zulueta needed to be hospitalized and the prison military officials had denied such request. However, the prisoner's wife, was informed of the situation and she went to the prison to follow through on his state of health, but the educator named Rubén, informed her that Larrazábal Zulueta was in perfect health, and that at no time was he ill. We have to remember that this prisoner is asthmatic, he also has an ulcer in the stomach and presents cardiovascular disease as per diagnose of a cardiologist. Reporting from Guantánamo, Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller,”Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre”. Received via telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami on this 15th day of April, 2001. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Jorge Luis Larrazábal Zulueta is serving to 3-year prison sentence for contempt that began on January 25, 2000. The arrest of this oppositionist , member of “El Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores de Cuba (Spanish acronym, CUTC), took place soon after the appearance of anti-government posters in the north area of the city of Guantánamo. We have news that Jorge Luis has family in the United States. If somebody knows their whereabouts, please, ask them to contact me at the offices the Democracy Movement, telephone number (305) 264-7200 or at the electronic address listed below. I thank you in advance on behalf of our Brother Jorge Luis.
Pablo Rodríguez Carvajal |
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April 11, 2001
News from Guantánamo, Cuba
by Ferdinando Lardiller There are various violations existing in the "Combinado de Guantánamo" prison which are favorable to the propagation of an infectious disease which is similar tuberculosis. Approximately 500 prisoners are currently infected with this disease but jail authorities, in their effort to conceal the true number of infected prisoners, are treating them under another diagnosis, except for 50 chronic cases. Among the chronically ill with the disease is a 27 year old man whose last name is Tejada. He is being held on Floor 3b, Cubicle 3, in the “Combinado” on the corner of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Street, between 15 and 16 North, Reparto Caribe, in the City of Guantánamo. These sick people should be hospitalized with the goal of the eradication of this disease which is easily and rapidly transmitted. They should not not be in a penitentiary facility together with those that are not sick. The combination of the precarious nutrition together with the lack of medical attention in the prison, the entire penal population of “Combinado de Guantánamo” will soon be contaminated.
Once again, on March 28, 2001, the hostile politics, inhumane and of double moral of the military hierarchy of the “cúpula castrista” was demonstrated in this province of Guantánamo. During a ministerial visit, high ranking officials from within the penal system of the island interviewed some prisoners. The valiant attitude of political prisoner Nestor Lucas Cabrera was admirable. He denounced the horrors of which political prisoners are victims, and also the bloody politics and discrimination to which they are submitted. Lucas Cabrera enumerated violation by violation in a valiant attitude which angered the penal officers, whom took drastic measures against the political prisoner and deviated the visitors’ attention towards other prisoners, in this way ignoring the political prisoners, among whom is Nestor Rodríguez Lobaina.
Reported from Guantánamo, Cuba, by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of "Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre". Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 10, 2001
A Cuban dissident worker received a sentence as if he were a terrorist April 3rd, 2001, translation To The Members of The Commission of Human Rights of the UN Respectable Dignitaries: The General Secretary of the Confederation of Democratic Workers of Cuba, José Orlando González Bridón who is also Labor Secretary of the “Partido Democrático Noviembre 30 Frank País” and Coordinator in Cuba of the “Coordinación de Organizaciones Opositoras Cuba-Exile” (COOCE), received a sentence from 7 to 15 years in prison for the alleged crime of enemy propaganda. González Bridón was detained December 15, 2000, while attempting to participate in the religious procession of the Sanctuary of San Lázaro, Municipality of Santiago de LasVegas in Havana, said procession was supposed to take place two days later. Many more opponents like Bridón were detained that day, to prevent them from participating in a religious event that is held every year in Cuba. Among the detainees figured the outstanding political opponent, Maritza Lugo Fernández who still remains also in prison without a justified cause. González Bridón remained in jail for more than three months, where he was subjected to all types of pressure, tortures and violations of his Human Rights. Ironically, at the beginning of the Conference in Geneva, he was charged with the crime of enemy propaganda, which carries a sentence between 7 to 15 years in prison. A sentence that in times of the terror in Cuba was applied to the crimes against the powers of the State, including dynamite attacks. In Reality, the alleged crime committed by the Cuban opponent, is not called enemy propaganda in any civilized country of the World since the "crime" consists of wanting to express himself, to move freely and to denounce to the exterior the violations of human rights that the dictatorship of the Castro brothers commit against the Cuban people. The "Movimiento Revolucionario 30 de Noviembre, Frank País" and the Coordination of Organizations of the Opposition Cuba-exile, denounces before the Conference of Human Rights of the UN this new violation against our people, and further requests of this worthy International Organism, to echo this accusation and to use the same as an argument more to condemn again this year in Geneva, the communist tyranny that reigns in our homeland. Respectfully,
Luis Israel Abreu Secretary General of "Movimiento 30 de Noviembre" and Coordinator in Exile of the Project COOCE Israel Abreu" m30november@hotmail.com |
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April 10, 2001
The Threats Continue by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller April 3, 2001 (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) Since the month of December, [2000] the pacifist oppositionist, Alberto Quintana, has been receiving threats over the telephone such as "you will wake up with your mouth full of ants", "a car can run you over", and "remember what happened to your father", a situation which is now happening almost daily. This pacific oppositionist is the son of Emilio Quintana González, whom was sentenced under Case No. 161 in the year 1961, to 20 years in jail for the crime against the powers of the state, an attempt on the life of Raúl Castro, the "26 de Julio de 1961" in Santiago de Cuba which was a plan of immediate action which in later years was aired on television as "Pata y Candela." Quintana González was conditionally released in the year of 1970, and in that same year is again sentenced under Case No. 13 to 8 years in jail for a crime against the integrity and stability of the nation. He died 4 years later from a malignant tumor, produced by the indiscriminant beatings and physical abuse he endured from the guards under the orders of the dictator de Fidel Castro in a prison named "Boniato". Death Certificate No. #47, Folio #372 of the Boniato prison. Anther important issue regarding this situation is that Alberto Quintana has not only been receiving threats over the phone, but dead animals were thrown at him on the 10th and the 24th of March and he was told that that is what he will look like. Alberto Quintana was sentenced under Case No. 22 in the year of 1999, for the crime of association, gatherings and illegal manifestations. Reported by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegado del Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre in Guantánamo, Cuba. Received telephonically by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami, Translated
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April 09, 2001
Adolescents Expelled from School by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, April 3, 2001 (Guantanamo, Cuba) The 14 year old adolescent, Jannet Guerra, a 9th grade student, and one of the students with the best student record of Pedro Agustín Pérez Middle School, was expelled from the school because her parents are against the political idelology of the regime. The same thing happened to Alberto Martínez Martínez, an adolescent studying electricity in the school named Politécnico Diosmel Cordoba, wherein the principal sent a notice signed by Elena González to the radio station CMKS with Ms. Miriam Torres Blanco Pérez (identification card #52101509250) with instructions for the father of the adolescent to go to the school. If he would not appear at the school as he was scheduled to do he would be fined and his son would be placed at the disposition of the juvenile correction center. This adolescent is the son of Alberto Martínez Fernández, President of the Political Prisioners Club in the province of Guantanamo.
Reported by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre” in Guantánamo, Cuba. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 09, 2001
They Break Glass
by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller (GUANTANAMO, CUBA) During nighttime, two interesting things occurred. The first involved a car with tag #NA1502 which was the subject of an attack by an unknown assailant that was riding his bicycle on the street and when he passed next to the car, which was parked on Pedro A. Perez Street, between 3rd and 4th North, he hurled a weight against the windshield which completely destroyed the left side of same. But the most important thing about this act is that that car is occasionally used by Marcelino García Velázquez, who was president of Principal Provincial Penal Tribunal, Room #1, of Guantanamo, and who was removed from that position because of bribery. We cannot overlook that this man, while drinking rum, would continuously brag about how he would request death before a firing squad for an accused or how he would request the maximum sentence, this gave him a sense of accomplishment. We should point out that during the attack the car was parked in front of Garcia Velazquez's house. The second act was at done simultaneously. The store located on Bado Street, on the corner Painter was the object of a similar incident, a pedestrian threw stones and broke the windows of the store which does business only in dollars.
Reported by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “The Democratic Party November 30th” in Guantánamo, Cuba. Received by telephone by Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami. |
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April 04
Pablo Rodriguez wrote:
In Regards to The Varela Project In a phone conversation between Ferdinando Lardiller Castro, delegate in Guantánamo, Cuba of the Democratic Movement 30th of November and Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami, Ferdinando expressed that Mrs. Martha Beatríz Roque is the only one in the opposition in Cuba that has tried to boycott the Varela Project. "We understand that it is a very good project because what it is requesting is change, the Project is not requesting in any shape or form that a place be given to us inside the present government. We are requesting a change where the People can choose its President freely," Ferdinando said. "All the opposition is united behind this Project, there are two or three that are opposed for personal reasons, and this is not the case in Guantánamo. In the district of Guantánamo all the different groups of opposition to the government are supporting the Project," Ferdinando said. In regards to the exclusion of the political prisoners that have participated in violent acts, he stated the following: "the violent acts that they refer to are terrorist acts, for example: sabotages to infantile centers where children can die; acts like those that Fidel used to perpetrate, like putting bombs in the movie theatres. That in itself is a terrorist act, we are against all forms of terrorism." According to Ferdinando, in accordance to the constitution of the Republic, 10,000 signatures are needed for the Referendum, and the government recognizes in their Newspaper Granma, that there are 1,748,000 opponents in Cuba. And further stated, "They acknowledge that there are 1,748,000 people that don't vote in favor of the government. Of 10,000 a 1,748,000 are openly recognized, this is an elevated figure. They are aware that there is dissatisfaction in part of the People. It is more than a million of citizen openly against the regime."
Pablo Rodríguez Miami, Florida.
Sobre el Proyecto Varela En conversación telefónica entre Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, delegado por Guantánamo del Movimiento Democrático 30 de Noviembre y Martha Tamargo del Puente Informativo Cuba-Miami, este le expresó que la señora Martha Beatriz Roque es la única en la oposición en Cuba que ha tratado de boicotear el Proyecto Varela. “Nosotros entendemos que es un proyecto muy bueno porque lo que está pidiendo es cambio, no se le está pidiendo bajo ningún concepto que nos dé un lugar dentro de ellos. Estamos pidiendo un cambio donde el pueblo pueda elegir libremente su gobernante”, dijo Fernando. “En este proyecto está enfrascada toda la oposición aquí, hay dos o tres que por problemas personales se oponen, no sucede así en el caso de Guantánamo. En el distrito de Guantánamo todos los distintos grupos de oposición al gobierno están apoyando el proyecto”, dijo el opositor. Sobre la exclusión de los presos políticos que hayan participado en actos violentos este dijo que “a los actos violentos que se refieren son actos terroristas, por ejemplo: sabotajes a centros infantiles donde pueden morir niños; actos como los que hacía Fidel, que ponía bombas en los cines. Ese sí que es un terrorista, nosotros estamos en contra del terrorismo”. Según Ferdinando, de acuerdo a la constitución de la República se necesitan 10,000 firmas, y el gobierno reconoce en el periódico Granma que hay 1,748,000 opositores en Cuba. Y agregó, “él reconoce que hay 1,748,000 personas que no votan a favor del gobierno. De 10,000 a 1,748,000 va una cifra elevadísima. Ya el sabe que el pueblo está en descontento. Es un millón y pico de personas abiertamente en su contra”.
Pablo Rodríguez |
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April 04
7 Children Die In Guantánamo In Less Than 5 Days By Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller March 25, 2001 Marcos Alejandro Sabón, a three month old infant, resident of Guantanamo (Cuban address: Calle 15 Sur, entre 3 y 4 oeste), died this past 21st day of March after receiving a scheduled vaccine for his age at the family medical office of Sector 16, also in Guantanamo located on Calle 9 oeste, esquina 7 sur. According to Mrs. Fidelina, who claims to be Alejandro’s aunt, and a resident of Calle 16 sur, between 3 y 4 Oeste, the vaccine probably had expired, causing the death of the baby boy. This is the seventh child that dies in a period of five days in this section of Guantánamo. The other cases are being investigated while this note is being edited. An Economic Problem at the Center of a Murder
By Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller In the early morning hours of this 6th day of March, hundreds of neighbors of the south section of Guantánamo gathered in a tumultuous manner outside a residence located at #1461 on Calle Hogado. According to the family members and neighbors of this area, a baby had just died inside the residence. They expressed that the mother of the dead baby, Mrs. Eneida Cubas, a 37 year-old Nurse Assistant, performed a self-induced abortion in the middle of the night. Once she witnessed the cries of the new life, this mother, in a blind and crazy act, hit her baby over the head with a hard object, causing the baby’s death only minutes thereafter. Upon his involuntary birth, the baby weighed 8 pounds. Before being driven to the Department of Special Instructions, Mrs. Eneida Cubas said the following to the uniformed officers: “what drove me to such an act is that I have two children without a father, my economic situation was already unbearable." A hematoma on the baby’s forehead caused by an overwhelming blow was visible as he laid in the yard. There was a strong presence of police along with forensic officials of the ministry of public health. Reported by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate of “Partido Democrático 30 de Noviembre” in Guantánamo. Received by Martha Tamargo of the Informative Bridge Cuba-Miami, Translated. |
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April 01, 2001
MARCOS LÁZARO TORRES LEÓN SUPPORTS REFERENDUM In phone conversation from Cuba, Marcos Lázaro Torres León communicated to Martha Tamargo: “As members of The Democratic Party November 30 here in Cuba, we have a political line of center right, but, what happens with the Project Varela? As their promoters, (Payá Sardiñas and the MCL) explained, this Project consists of requesting a plebiscite by which the people can determine the change or the government's permanency in the power.” According to Martha Tamargo, the official statement says: “Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Association, Amnesty for the political prisoners, right of the Cuban to Free Enterprise and Democratic Elections”. And she added, “It didn't say anything if the government stays or not, and that this had people here nervous.”
Marcos Lázaro continued: I am NOT making any definitions along political lines, if that were the case, then yes, we would be more careful. These things are being requested because they are really needed. The content of this plebiscite is: the request for the liberation of the political prisoners and respect to all the rights that are requested in that document. The essence of all this is to request to the government, basing ourselves on their own laws, to carry out a plebiscite, and let the people be the ones to say if they want to continue with the government or not. The most important thing of everything is to be able to demonstrate to the government in the urns, once and for all, that they have to leave. We do not want changes with them in power. We only base ourselves on their laws, so that the people can vote however they want. If the majority wants them to continue it will be a problem of the majority; we would continue fighting, looking for roads that can give us the freedom and the democracy in Cuba. You see, this is an opening, a way of getting at the government, it is a form of making something. This it is another road that the MCL has found in the margin of our different political lines, and we support it because we find it to be very positive." To all the brothers that might have some concerns, at least from my vision of things, you can explain it to them this way, as clear as I have explained it to you. What the Project asks, I believe embraces all of us as a whole, and there is no exception in regards to political lines or anything remotely political. That would be in a future, for another moment. I want everyone to know that we are trying to exhaust all the roads of peaceful fight against the government in here, and whatever can take us to conquer our freedom, we will support. Only then, in the future, each party will take its political project to the people, and then the people will be able to choose one, the one that they deem convenient, the one that is more beneficial. Via telephone, Marcos Lázaro Torres León to Martha Tamargo of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami on this 13th day of March 2001. |