El Nuevo Herald’s Wilfredo Cancio did some digging into the story I noted yesterday about two Baptists detained October 3 in eastern
His story in today’s paper reports that they were carrying about $4,000 in loal currency and remain in custody pending investigation. It cites documents from the Santiago provincial prosecutor: “Without authorization of the competent authority in the country, [they] set off to bring about the financing and formation of various farms for food and animal production in approximately 21 small producers through the Baptist Church, calling this Fishermen’s Project.”
Ok, so maybe they didn’t follow procedures with regard to foreign donations, foreign investment, agricultural regulations, and who knows what else. But can someone consult the editor of Granma and see if these farmers and their church get points for not sitting around waiting for the state to solve their problems?
[Update: El Nuevo Herald reports 10/20 that the men were released without charges.]
Their crime is mentioned toward the end of the Cancio Isla article: "Con 320 iglesias asociadas, la CBOC es actualmente la mayor congregación bautista de la isla y no está integrada al Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba, con estrechos lazos gubernamentales." (Trans. With 320 associated churches, the CBOC is currently the largest Baptist congregation in the island and it is not part of the Council of Churches of Cuba which has close government ties)
ReplyDeleteCould someone contact the Reverend Lucius Walker, and Congressional Black Caucus and asked them to intercede for these two gentlemen?
Vecino de NF
Romans 8:35:
ReplyDelete"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"
Passage 2 Corinthians 12:10:
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
May God bless and comfort Rubén Ortiz Columbié, and Francisco García Ruiz! They shall be in my prayers until they are free.
Vecino de NF
These two "pastors" and their highly suspicious "charity work" are rightly under suspicion of being tools of imperialist aggression.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Revolution is under imminent threat, this is no time to fool around with bourgeois notions of a "fair trial."
If the Revolution is soft on them, the next thing you know these "pastors" will be donating computers to Cuban "journalists" and books to "libraries."
Leftside and I say: PAREDON!
Phil, I totally agree and this isn't
ReplyDeletethe first time something similar
has occurred. The regime in Cuba
just doesn't get it! Public Relations is a disaster and I for one
am exasperated with what these animals have decimated. A perfect
way to assuage the USA and critics
of this totalitarian regime would have been for Generation Y spokesperson, Yoani, to have received her prestigious award! It's mind boggling! I instinctively feel that change is coming for the great Cuban people and it's coming sooner than later.
As always, thanks Phil!
On a separate note, the video and audio posted in Yoani Sanchez' blog may result in her imminent imprisonment. She documents a discussion at the Immigration offices where she demanded a reason for the Cuban government's denial of a travel permit. She goes beyond the usual bureaucratic haggling to accusing the Cuban government of systematically denying rights guaranteed in the Cuban constitution based on ideological discrimination. Nothing new for those who have been observing Cuba for awhile, but this is the sort of thing that gets you jailed in Cuba. It's a test case of the limits to free speech and the right of petition in Cuba. I sincerely hope that she is not jailed.
ReplyDeleteVecino de NF
The former commentator regarding the latest blog via Yoani Sanchez is exact and to the point. Also, there
ReplyDeleteis no nonsense regarding the repercussions involved. As mentioned a few times by me, I believe the situation in Cuba would be drastically different if the embargo
ended AND the basic rights of USA
citizens to travel freely were changed. The Cuban expatriates who
oppose this are within their rights to express dist an towards the
totalitarian regime but perhaps,
it's counterproductive to include
the embargo.
Again, instinctively, I expect some very big changes to happen within the next twelve months instigated
by the younger generation in Cuba.
They are the heroes and hope for the future. Yoani being on the front lines!
Brianmack,
ReplyDeletePlease note Raul Castro's absence from the ALBA meeting in Cochabamba. This coupled with Fidel Castro and Chavez initial difference of opinion about Obama's Nobel may indicate changes not from below but from the top. If Raul strikes a deal with USA, all bets are off. It may need to wait for the PCC Congress next year.
BTW Fidel Castro suggested now that Evo Morales should have gotten the Nobel. Well I guess there is always next year.
Vecino de NF
yeah, it's ridiculous to stop her from travelling for ideological reasons. the regime should be condemned!!
ReplyDeletenow how about the same for the NY philharmonic, or the cubans denied visas by the Americans, or countless other cubans denied visas by the Americans. oh the indignity of it all. oho, the silence of it all.
typical two faced hypocrites
only in a simpleton's world like your's are the situations comparable
ReplyDeletechingon
The younger generation in Cuba will generate the change so needed. It reminds me of Ireland during the sixties when the older generation would mount bitterness and hatred toward the English. I was a teenager at that time, 100% Irish, and loved the Beatles, Stones, Who and most every British band 'cept Herman's Hermits!
ReplyDeleteWell times have changed and the Brit's and Celt's have become pretty good friends. The reason?
Not the older folk gang, the KIDS!
The Kids tore down the Berlin Wall and THE KIDS will change Cuba!
It is happening now and Yoani is and will be the new HOPE!
El gobierno no permite, entre otras muchas cosas, afiliaciones que no esten dentro de los organismos oficiales, para ello hizo su propia iglesia protestante, esto anterior es lo segundo; en primer lugar, la intención de esos señores es el peligro numero uno y el mayor temor para y del gobierno. Lo ultimo que desea la dictadura es que alguien demuestre con hechos la realidad de la viabilidad de un proyecto independiente del de ella. Todo dentro de la revolución, es no sólo un slogan, es la práctica en todo los sectores gubernamentales, no necesitan consultar los represores, en esto se pueden equivocar al excederse sin ser mal vistos, disparar primero, preguntar después. Esto también puede ser un indicador de la ausencia en el gobierno cubano de la intención de aliviar la terrible crisis actual permitiendo la iniciativa privada.
ReplyDeletePor los nombres, estos señores están totalmente desamparados judicialmente en Cuba, pues el gobierno considera cubanos aun a aquellos que siendo cubanos han adquirido la ciudadanía de otro país; si no se ponen las pilas fuera de Cuba, como solemos decir, puede que todo no quede en un susto para ellos, puede que vaya a mayores, prisión de años; solo la presión internacional hace algo de mella en la dictadura.
well pidgen, explain the difference. if you can't then stfu
ReplyDelete