Senator LeMieux on Arrest of U.S. Citizen

Senator LeMieux Criticizes Cuban Regime for Detaining U.S. Citizen

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL) today criticized the Cuban regime after learning a U.S. citizen was detained by Cuban authorities. The citizen was detained on December 5th while distributing cell phones, laptop computers and other communications equipment to Cuban citizens. Under Raul Castro's regime, the Cuban people are supposedly allowed to own these communications devices.

Senator LeMieux said:

"This is clear evidence the Cuban regime continues to stifle dissent and oppress the basic human rights of its people. Unfortunately, the dictatorial regime of Raul Castro is choosing to harass and detain American citizens while also limiting the Cuban people's access to digital technology. I am concerned for the health and safety of the detained individual and the U.S. ought to demand his immediate release. Now more than ever, we need to maintain critical democracy funding in the midst of this crackdown by the Cuban regime. Democratic assistance grants play an important role in furthering the cause of freedom for the Cuban people and the regime's reaction clearly shows our efforts are working. This should also serve as a warning to those who advocate increasing tourism travel to Cuba before the regime makes progress on their human rights record."