Cuban human rights group reports 413 arrests in October; record pace of repression continues

The record pace of political repression in Cuba continued in October.

The unofficial Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation reported this week that Cuban police last month made at least 413 politically-motivated arrests. That's the second-lowest monthly count this year -- there were 411 arrests reported in September -- but already for the year, the number of arrests totals 8,012, according to the human rights commission.

The previous high for an entire year was 6,602 in 2012.

Apologists for the Cuban regime will note the apparent slow-down in the pace of repression on the island, and why it demands a change in approach toward Havana. The number of arrests last month was less than half of the 909 arrests reported in October 2013.

But whatever the exact count, the numbers show that the fundamental nature of the Castro regime, and how it treats its opposition, remains unchanged.

For more details about repression in Cuba in October, including details on each of the 413 arrests, read the human rights commission's report here.

* Photo via MartiNoticias.com