HÉCTOR Pesquera, the ex-FBI chief in Miami who arrested the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters after they had infiltrated extremist groups in Miami when Cuban and US terrorism specialists had started talks in 1998, has been extremely silent since President Fidel Castro publicly criticized him at the Anti-Imperialist Tribunal in Havana.

"Pesquera has been silent…absolutely silent," stated Andrés Gómez, the veteran progressive activist from Miami, who was present at the anti-terrorist conference that recently ended in the Cuban capital.

"Apparently no one from the Miami press has attempted to interview him and ask for his comment. None of the media, not even the Herald, has dared to communicate with him."

Since his arrival in Miami in May 1998, Pesquera has found fame for being particularly loquacious; the people of Miami have grown accustomed to his frequent appearances in local media channels.

"He spent all his time giving interviews on tiny radio stations, all the right-wing broadcasting in Miami. He was the first FBI official to do such a thing, " stated Gómez.

"The FBI has always behaved in a way that was, at least, discreet, professional. Pesquera is the only one who has done that type of thing, as well as making threats.

"The media has not even asked for comments on the subject from any Congress member, or Mel Martínez, senator for Florida; nothing about terrorism, or the Posada case, or the extradition request, nothing."

In reality, Pesquera was completely atypical as a FBI chief in Miami, he affirmed. "Its true to say that the FBI and the various bodies connected with the Miami police departments have always behaved well with us – the progressive section of the Cuban community – very professional and aware of their duty, I can’t say any different."

And what’s going on with Jeb Bush?