U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement regarding reports that the US and the Castro regime are considering a possible exchange of fugitives from US justice in Cuba for Ana Belen Montes, who was charged with and plead guilty to crimes under 18 U.S. Code § 794, gathering or delivering defense information to aid foreign government. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"Trading convicted spy Montes for fugitives from American justice will only reward the Castro regime for harboring criminals. Montes, a U.S. national who would be in effect seeking safe harbor in Cuba, was granted a fair trial with all possible and available defenses after she put our nation's national security at risk by spying for the Castro regime.
The Obama administration must secure the return of criminals like Joanne Chesimard, a convicted cop killer, and others unconditionally. President Obama must insist on the unconditional return of all fugitives from U.S. justice. There are many unanswered questions surrounding this possible deal that should be fully investigated before any action is even contemplated."