13 March 2007

Cuba's Repressive Wave

Cubans in the island, especially dissidents, are in the grip of an unprecedented wave of repression.

The acts of repudiation, jailings and harassments have all increased.

Guillermo Fariñas was beaten, not by “civilians”, but by government security agents.

Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas’ organization, Movimiento Cristiano Liberación, has been warned to cease and desist its pro “Proyecto Varela” activities or else.

The internet connections at the US Interests Section, which the internal dissidence uses to connect with the “real” world, are sporadic at best, supposedly as a result of Ramiro Valdes’ “colt taming” activities. The information Minister also has his cyber warriors out there cancelling dissident’s e-mail accounts.
The regime has mounted search and destroy missions on TV antennas and satellite dishes to further isolate the Cuban population.

In a few weeks, April 1, new workplace regulations go into effect. The regulations are aimed at increasing productivity and reducing graft in Cuba’s notoriously inefficient command economy.

Raul Castro continues to make the rounds to Cuban military installations and presiding over military exercises, pictures of which are obediently broadcast on state TV, to make sure that the populace is aware of the military’s preparedness, loyalty and deadly force which can be unleashed at a second’s notice to brutally crush any rebellion or protest. The Cuban army has been at a state of readiness since Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, fell ill. The military exercises are code-named “Operation Caguairán”.


Meanwhile, with the fourth anniversary of the “Black Spring” coming up, the Ladies in White have asked the UN’s Council on Human Rights to intervene in the release of the 59 ,out of the original 75, political prisoners that were incarcerated on trumped – up charges back in 2003 that are still being detained.

No doubt their plea will fall on deaf ears since Cuba along with China, two of the worse Human Rights violating countries on the planet, have seats on the “Council”. How absurd.

As a matter of fact, Felipe Perez Roque, the Cuban Foreign Minister, is in Europe to attend the Council’s annual session.

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