Nelson Aguíar Ramírez
Cuban political prisoner Nelson Aguiar Ramírez, imprisoned since the "black spring" of 2003, has been released from prison, apparently as a gesture to Spain after the visit to Havana this week of that country's foreign minister, according to Reuters.
This is wonderful news for Aguiar and his family, but unless it is followed by the immediate release of the rest of the political prisoners in the Castro gulag, that is all it is, a gesture. The Spanish minister, Miguel Moratinos, refused to meet with dissidents during his visit, so it is unlikely he requested anything more from his Cuban hosts. (Also, Spain next year is expected to launch a diplomatic effort to lessen even more European sanctions on the Havana regime.)
"It's the same thing as always: the Castros giving prisoners as gifts," said Cuban human rights activist Elizardo Sanchez.
An electrician by trade, Aguiar was president of the Orthodox Party of Cuba when he was arrested in March 2003 and sentenced to 14 years in prison. This is the first release of a Group of 75 prisoner, as those arrested during the "black spring" are collectively called, since the release of four prisoners in February 2008.
Those prisoners were forced to take exile in Spain, which had arranged for their release, but the Reuters story said Aguiar was with his family in their Havana home.
Read my Political Prisoner of the Week profile of Aguiar, here.
UPDATED, Oct. 22, 2009 — Aguiar says he was given advanced notice he might be released, depending on the outcome of talks with the visiting Spanish foreign minister.
Aguiar said he will resume his opposition actvities, but first may travel to Spain for needed surgery.
Recent Comments