Hunger Strikes By Cuban Democracy Leaders Illustrate The Reality of Suffering Under Castro's Cuba, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Statement

ongresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) made the following statement regarding two Cuban pro-democracy advocates who are currently waging hunger strikes in defense of their democratic freedoms. Misael Canet Velasquez, an independent journalist, has been on a hunger strike for approximately 43 days in front of the Camaguey courthouse in order to draw attention to the Castro regime's human rights abuses. Additionally, Mario Alberto Hernandez Leiva has been in a Cuban jail on a hunger strike beginning January 5.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"I stand in solidarity with Misael and Mario who are risking their own lives to shed light on the increase of human rights abuses in Castro's Cuba. The Obama administration and the international community should pay attention to the hunger strikes of these courageous leaders because human rights abuses are unfortunately part of the Castro brothers' modus operandi. While the White House trips over itself to promote its unilateral concessions to the Castro regime, it is unconscionable that it remains silent and fails to hold the same regime accountable for its abuses."

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