The repressive machinery of the Castro dictatorship extends to all facets of Cuban life, including attempts by Cubans to make some semblance of a living. The "revolution" may provide for Cubans, but it doesn't provide much. So when a Cuban tries to take care of himself, they risk the dictatorship coming down hard on them.
That's what happened last month to human rights activist Richard Brown Pérez, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison for his failure to pay 4,800 pesons in fines related to his bicycle-taxi business.
Brown was taken before a Havana court, after police pulled him off the street.
"They didn't give me the time nor did I have the right to be defended by a lawyer, but I think everything was already prepared. The hand of State Security is behind all of this," Brown told independent journalist
Roberto de Jesús Guerra Pérez. "It is unthinkable that in Cuba someone can be taken to prison for trying to work."
Brown said he was ordered to report to prison on March 24.
Recent Comments