Posada Not Going to Venezuela or Cuba

The latest news in the Luis Posada Carriles case is that he will not be deported to either Venezuela or Cuba, due to the distinct possibility that he would be tortured in those countries.

The news obviously does not sit well with fidel and his mini-me Hugo Chavez. I'm sure it doesn't sit well with those who have a bone to pick with the Cuban-American community.

Speaking of the Cuban-American community, this quote from the Reuters article linked above struck me as curious:

"The case has been closely watched by the politically powerful anti-Castro Cuban-American community, whose leaders say Posada should be freed and allowed to live in Miami."

I am not aware of any Cuban-American community "leader" who has come out and said that Posada should be freed and allowed to live in Miami. By leader, I mean someone who either officially represents our community (politicians), or heads a recognized and respected exile group. Radio talk show hosts don't count. If someone else has heard different, please let me know.

This all goes back to the issue of perception, how the outside world sees the Cuban-American community. The Reuters report doesn't quote any of those "leaders" actually saying they want Posada freed, they probably just assumed it based on perception and/or comments from those who really don't represent the community at large.

Val at Babalu has also posted on this subject, targeting the Sun-Sentinel's Miami Bureau writer Madeline Baro Diaz and her story on Posada. Baro, who has blasted the Cuban community in the past, didn't bother to interview anyone in the community who is against Posada being sent back. Her version of objectivity in her story was quoting Posada directly while being interviewed on the radio. She did, however, manage to quote someone from the Cuban community who wants Posada to be sent to Venezuela: Elena Freyre.

Elena Freyre, executive director of the Cuban American Defense League, said there was no proof Posada would be tortured in Venezuela and that he should have gone there to stand trial. She said the decision undermines the Bush administration's war on terror."It seems to me that this would have been exactly what this administration would not have wanted in this particular case," she said. "What we have here is a very elegant, if you want to call it that, or sneaky, if you want to call it that, maneuver to allow him to remain in this country."

Want to know more about Elena Freyre? Check out this interview she gave to PBS concerning the Elian disaster. (WARNING: Your blood pressure may rise about 20-40 points after reading it).

There's little doubt why Baro chose to interview Freyre. Sisters in arms.