Lincoln Diaz-Balart: “since the time of the visits of two of our colleagues to Cuba a few weeks ago, dissidents and independent journalists…”

“since the time of the visits of two of our colleagues to Cuba a few weeks ago, dissidents and independent journalists there are facing increased repression. Dissident leaders Miriam Garcia, Mercedes Parada Antunes, Leonel Morejon Almagro, Pedro Brito Hernandez, and many others, have reported being the victims of increasing repression. But perhaps the most spine-chilling example of Castro's new wave of brutality is the way in which Vicky Ruiz, a member of the dissident umbrella group Concilio Cubano, is being threatened. State security has not only repeatedly threatened Vicky Ruiz's physical safety, but Castro agents have also told her that, if she does not stop her human rights advocacy, her young children, a 9-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, will be physically assaulted, as will be her 13-year-old nephew, who also lives with her in the same house. I, Mr. Speaker, have personally heard her plea for help sent by telephone. All human rights groups, international organizations, our government, and all governments have a duty to immediately condemn these acts of cowardly brutality with all vehemence, and to intercede on behalf of Vicky Ruiz and her young family.”