By the numbers, political repression in Cuba hit the highest levels in recent memory: There were at least 567 politically-motivated arrests in December, the highest monthly total since March, bringing the total for the year to 6,602. That, according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, is compared to 4,123 recorded arrests in 2011, and 2,073 in 2010.
The actual numbers are probably higher, said Elizardo Sanchez, head of the human rights group.
"Taking into account the opacity of the regime, the lack of public information and the impunity of law enforcement we can conclude without any doubt that the real figure of political arrests is higher every month," Sanchez said in a statement.
On average, there were 550 arrests each month during 2012, compared to 172 arrests a month in 2010, and 343 a month in 2011, according to the commission.
Read the commission's report, including details on each arrest in December, here.
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