A few moments ago, I ran a line through Nelson Aguiar's name on the right sidebar of this blog, signifying that after more than six years of unjust imprisonment, he had been released from a Cuban jail. It was a moment of joy in what is sometimes a sad and maddening chronicling of the injustices being committed against political prisoners and other dissidents struggling for freedom in the land of my parents and grandparents. I pray for the day I can wipe all the names off the list, and there is no longer a need for this blog.
But as joyous as Aguiar and his family must be this evening, and how happy I am for them, his release is also a source of frustration because undoubtedly there will be those, especially in Spain, the island's historical and still colonial master, who will see it as proof that the best way to win the release of Cuban political prisoners is the boot-licking, Chamberlainian approach advocated by the Socialist government in Madrid, especially its foreign minister, Miguel Moratinos.
Aguiar's release, as welcome as it is, was nothing more than a gesture, a payoff if you will, for Spain's continuing efforts, especially in Europe, to rehabilitate the Castro dictatorship's standing in the world. Spain wants Europe to abolish its support of human rights in Cuba — and abandon the remaining political prisoners in its jails — in exchange for nothing in return from Havana.
Spain, of course, is not the victor here. The winner of this charade, the perception of many that Aguiar's release means that see, Raúl Castro is a "reformer," is the Castro dictatorship, a true scourge on Cuba and the world for more than 50 years.
Thanks in no small part of pathetic appeasers like Miguel Moratinos and the Spanish government.
I am happy for Nelson Aguiar, but I am also sad because he, and the cause of liberty in Cuba, deserved much, much better than what they got this week.
For another take on what Spain has wrought for Cuba, read this Wall Street Journal editorial.
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