On 15 November, a Los Angeles Times editorial condemned the US’s stance on self-confessed bomber and terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, stating that ‘dithering on the part of the US is leaving the nation open to charges of hypocrisy in the war on terror – specifically, to the charge that some forms of terrorism are more acceptable than others’.
Luis Posada Carriles has admitted bombing hotels in Havana, attempting to assassinate Fidel Castro and having played a leading role in blowing up a Cubana flight in October 1976, killing all 73 people aboard (with prior CIA knowledge). Yet, 18 months after his arrest in the United States, he has yet to be charged. He remains detained solely on immigration issues.
Both Cuba and Venezuela have requested Posada’s extradition and have been rejected. In May 2005 a judge ruled he should be deported to another country, but none of the six proposed by the US is willing to take him. In November, a federal judge gave the US government until 1 February 2007 to bring a case against Posada or he will be freed.
The US administration finds itself in a quandary: Posada has made it clear that if he is brought to trial he will reveal the full extent of CIA and FBI collusion with his terrorist activities over the decades.
Contrast this with the treatment of Fernando Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero and Rene Gonzalez – the Cuban 5 – who remain in prison eight years after their arrest, convicted for their activities exposing CIA and US government funding for Miami based anti-Cuban terror groups. So much for the ‘war against terrorism’.
Hannah Caller
To mark the fifth anniversary of their trial, Cuba is calling for a new Solidarity Campaign with the Cuban 5 from 12 to 27 December. To get involved go to www.ratb.org.uk. To send letters of support to the Cuban 5, see opposite page for addresses.
FRFI 194 December 2006 / January 2007
