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FIVE DAYS FOR THE FIVE IN WASHINGTON
Latin American legislators meet with
members of U.S. Congress
Marie Chase
During the recent 'Five Days for the Five' in
Washington, Latin American parliamentarians
advocating for the imprisoned Cuban anti-terrorists
met with two respected members of the Congressional
Black Caucus, Bobby Rush and Yvette Clarke. Rush has
represented a South Side Chicago district in the
House for 20 years and Clarke, first elected in
2007, represents a district in the New York City
borough of Brooklyn.
The delegation of Latin Americans who made the
trip to Washington to encourage their U.S.
counterparts to become involved in finding a
solution to the unjust imprisonment of the Five
included congressional representatives Glauber Braga
from Brazil; Hugo Gutierrez, Chile; Armando Aguilar,
Ecuador; Damián Alegría, El Salvador; Alba Palacios,
Nicaragua; and Chilean Senator Alejandro Navarro.
Italian Gianni Vattimo, a member of the European
Union Parliament, also participated.
Rush, who traveled to Cuba in 2009 and pledged
to visit the Five upon his return, reiterated his
commitment to do so, with other members of the
Congressional Black Caucus, to support the prisoners
and draw attention to the case. Representative
Clarke, who recalled that her parents were Jamaican
immigrants and whose district includes many
residents with Caribbean roots, expressed her
interest in improving relations between Cuba and the
United States, acknowledging that resolving the case
of the Five is important to that process. She
commented that an ad hoc working group of Congress
members interested in supporting better relations
should be reactivated and become involved in
discussion of the case.
The Latin American legislators emphasized that
judicial options to secure the prisoners' freedom
were practically exhausted and that a political,
humanitarian solution was needed, such as a pardon
or commutation of sentences, which President Obama
has the authority to grant.
Following the meeting, Ecuadoran Congressman
Armando Aguilar commented that several members of
Congress and their staff, "expressed their interest
in becoming involved in finding a solution to the
case of the Five."
The Latin American parliamentarians met with
seven members of the U.S. Congress, over a three-day
period June 3-5, while other supporters of the Five
from 22 countries visited an additional 36 House and
Senate offices to meet with staff.
Describing the experience, Salvadoran Frente
Farabundo Martí legislator
Damian Alegría said, “It was important to share the
case of the Five with U.S. Representatives and
Senators, to make them aware of the judicial
irregularities that must be corrected, but also to
hear that some of them do know about the case and
share our opinion that it reflects a backward point
of view, which must be overcome in the process of
normalization of economic, political and diplomatic
relations with Cuba.”
Chilean Senator Alejandro Navarro commented, “We
have been able to strongly convey our countries’
sentiment about this injustice… and the failure to
respect due process. There is no argument whatsoever
to defend this political persecution. I am
optimistic, confident that we took a step forward
with the U.S. Congress.”
Armando Aguilar concluded that he was impressed,
“To meet so many men and women from the United
States, Europe and Latin America who are working for
the freedom of the Five.” |
