Political prisoners from Cuba sent to South Florida ahead of President Obama's trip to island

5 men receiving assistance from Doral-based Church World Services

DORAL, Fla. – Several Cuban political prisoners Raul Castro claimed did not exist are now receiving assistance from Doral-based Church World Service.

Five men waiting at the offices Monday told Local 10 News that they were plucked straight from their prison cells, handed papers and given orders to leave Cuba before President Barack Obama's arrival there last week. 

They landed in South Florida on March 15.

"A lot of them don't have families here, but they are hoping for their family members to come. We're waiting for that decision," Church World Service Director Oscar Rivera said.

Jorge Ramirez was serving two-and-a-half years in prison for protesting unsanitary street conditions, according to the dissident group Cuban Democratic Directorate.

Vladimir Morena was serving four and half years for hanging an anti-Castro sign in his window, and Niorvis Rivera had been on a hunger strike in prison.

Their names are on a list of 53 political prisoners released by the Cuban government in January 2015 as part of the deal a month earlier to reestablish relations between Cuba and the U.S.

During an historic joint news conference in Havana last week, Raul Castro all but denied political prisoners exist and asked for a list. Since then, watchdog groups have been circulating various lists.  

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., said the group's release and arrival is neither a show of good will by Castro nor a result of pressure by the Obama administration.

"This is not something to be applauding and saying, 'Wow, Raul Castro is finally freeing political prisoners?' No, he's getting rid of folks who he considers trouble makers," she said.

Ros-Lehtinen has lists from various dissident groups of others that have not been released.  

The arrests of dissidents in Cuba continues as it was reported Tuesday that nearly 30 members of the Ladies in White, including leader Berta Soler, were arrested for conducting a meeting at their headquarters.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."