The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation reported last month that by its count, there are currently at least 114 political prisoners in Cuban jails, up from 102 at the end of 2013. (Read the list of prisoners here.)
Uncommon Sense is attempting to honor these brave Cubans by sharing their names and little about their respective stories. Ever since I started this blog, I have felt it vital to remember their names, names the regime would rather have the world never know. That is the only way to fully grasp the injustices they are suffering.
Today's prisoners are Armando Sosa Fortuny, Miguel Diaz Bouza and Humberto Eladio Real Suarez.
Diaz, Sosa and Real were among seven Cuban exiles captured in October 1994 after they landed by boat in Villa Clara province, with the intent of going up into the Cuban mountains and fomenting rebellion. Before they were captured, a Cuban solider was killed in a firefighter.
They were soon tried and convicted of charges of "acts against the security of the state," and sentenced to lengthy prison terms: 25 years for Diaz; and 30 years each for Sosa and Real.
Despite the violent nature of their crimes, Diaz, Real and Sosa are rightfully considered political prisoners. They should not be disqualified of our support just because they chose -- like many Cubans before them -- to take up arms in order to fight for freedom.
Last week, leading Cuban opposition activist Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia tweeted photos from prison of Real and Sosa.
Armando Sosa
Humberto Real
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