On the recordMarch 21, 2016
Raul Castro's thugs arrested or detained many Cuban pro-democracy leaders in anticipation of the President's time in Cuba. Berta Soler, the leader of the Ladies in White, was detained; Antonio Rodiles, detained; and some of these activists were invited to participate in the meeting with President Obama. Antunez and his wife, Yris, arrested; musician Gorki Aguila, arrested; former political prisoner Angel Moya, arrested. Pastor Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso was arrested yesterday. The Castro brothers have shifted their strategy to a catch-and- release program to intimidate activists who have been placed under house arrest by the repressive apparatus of the regime. President Obama says that human rights are important to him, but empty words with no actions to back them up send the message to the Castro regime to continue with his repression, and Castro continues to do so. No surprise there. Shame on us, Mr. Speaker. ____________________
