A local group, the Dominica Cuba Friendship Association, is calling on US President Barack Obama to pardon and release five Cuban intelligence officers popularly known as the “Cuban Five” imprisoned in the US.
It is also calling on Obama to deal with a group known as Alpha 66, which it describes as a terrorist group operating out of Miami.
“Terrorism in all its different forms is still terrorism and indeed is a crime against humanity that needs to be eradicated in all its variation so as to make a better world possible,” head of the Dominica Cuba Friendship Association, Frankie Lowe, said.
The Cuban 5, also known as The Miami 5, are five Cuban intelligence officers convicted in Miami of conspiracy to commit espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, acting as an agent of a foreign government, and other illegal activities in the United States.
Cuba acknowledges that the five men were intelligence agents, but said they were spying on Miami’s Cuban exile community, not the US government.
According to Lowe the men were defending the Cuban people after a Cuban passenger aircraft, en route from Barbados to Cuba, was blown apart in mid air and several terrorist bombings targeted Cuban hotel and the Cuban tourist industry.
“It is against this backdrop that the Cuban Government was forced to seek ways and means to defend their people, their country and their sovereignty,” Lowe said.
“The Dominica Cuba Friendship Association together with the Local chapter of the Committee for the Liberation of the Cuban Five join hearts and voices with countless people around the world, Nobel laureates, activist groups in requesting that President Obama not only order the unconditional pardon and release of the Cuban Five but at the same time deal with the terrorists groups such as Alpha 66 which operate out Miami with freedom,” Lowe stated. “We declare that terrorism does not depend on the perpetrator or the persons / nation against whom it is being perpetrated.”
The Cuban Five were arrested on September 12, 1998 and June 8, 2001 they were sentenced to maximum prison terms.
The five have been identified as Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón Labañino Salazar, Rene González Sehwerert, Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez and Fernando González Llort.
He is not the one making things diificult for Dominicans. The prime minister is according to some fellow americans. So stop put the blame on him and put it on the right set of people.
Cuba had no right to trespass its boundary and send its people onto American soil. Its expatriates are on American soil. They are not under the jurisdiction of Cuba. Furthermore, the majority of them who were not born in the U.S. are naturalized Americans.
It is to be expected that Cuba will support and defend those men by saying that they were not spying on America. America will never believe Cuba.
As for those men, their goose is cooked. They are deemed terrorists, dangerous people. They will remain in prison for whatever length of time they were sentenced. The U.S. will not relent.
Consider too that they are being well-treated, well-fed and taken good care of health-wise, better than if they were in a Cuban prison.
you all need to understand that evryone are being watched. I can assure you there wont be much visas for you all
Franky garcon you still like talking alot. This is the Franky i know. My boy just like to talk.
@ deba
It is ‘deba’ indeed. You made me laugh.
Believe me! This is as far as he will get in trying to convince President Obama to free those men, that they are innocent; not after Spetember 11, 2001.
DNO have heart to put up that rubbish. Mr does make thing more difficult for our little Dominica. . I vex.
American needs to find out more about all who are asking for these men release. What does DA have to gain by asking for their release? Didn’t they know that there was a consequence to their actions?
We must also ask whether the Dominica Cuba Friendship Association gets a subvention from Cuba.
It is not Dominica that is asking for the release. It is an organisation with friendly relations to Cuba. They are acting within their rights.
Nobody said it was Dominica asking for this release and of course the organisation is within its rights as much as others are withing their rights to express their opinions. That’s the magic of democracy and freedom of expression.
All I would like to know is how many Cuban residents in Dominica for them to have a Dominica Cuba Friendship Association. They might have the few doctors/nurses there am I missing something.
Of course you are missing something… Why dont you ask yourself how many DOMINICAN STUDENTS are in Cuba and how many have greduated from Cuban universities.
Why dont you ask yourself how many DOMINICAN STUDENTS are in Russia and how many have greduated from Russian universities.
You are missing the fact that there could be several hundreds of Dominicans who have benefitted from free medical care in Cuba and from Cuban off shore clinics, as well as those many, many Dominicans trained in Cuban universities.
Frankie with all respect to your loyalty to CUBA I think you have gone over board with your statements.
Your group has no power to indicate to OBAMA what to do. You all are “out of bounds”.
There is a saying which goes “a little bit of learning is dangerous ” and I can see it manifesting itself in you.
Dominica has its own issues with Cubans here, why not address it?
distasteful!
Hey,Frankie you should ask cubans to send convicted murderer JoAnn Chesimard/Assata Shakur back, to the U.S.
Frankie, garcon you don’t need your US Visa again?
Magway sa!
What no more training, seminars, conferences? They didn’t renew your Visa or something?
O Lord; help the overzellus political uppertunist,to take advantage of the uppertunity that they recieved in educating themselves,to uplift their surrounding and the people closest to them;speak truth to power;stand in defence of their constitution and not open their mouths and cast all doubt as to what they drank.
Opoprtunity
Opportunity* (typo)
Frankly, I would expect a more balanced view from mr. Lowe in our supposedly democratic and non-aligned country. By Cuba’s own admission these “famous five” are intelligence agents, in their employ, who spied, in a foreign nation. No doubt to the Cuban regime and mr. Lowe they are heroes. Of course, he is entitled to his opinion and, in a fortunate position to express so freely.
This in sharp contrast to the political dissidents in Cuba, who are incarcerated for being bold enough to express their opposition to the ruling regime and in particular members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba. People like Enrique Figuerola, who just has finished a 42 day hunger strike, Jorge Cervantes or Wilmar Mendoza, who refused to take food for 50 days in protest and died as a result. I have great sympathy for the Cuban people but one sided propaganda is not going to help to improve their lot.
Frankie, You need to come to Miami especially in the Cuban community such as Little Cuba, and make that statement. I guarantee you Cubans here would have a good meal on you.
Are you the one now being used by Skero to make such statements? Have him to buy you a ticket to fly to ‘Little Havanah’ and we will see how well it sits with Cubans.
hey man I don’t know you,but you are a big fool,why get into something you can’t do nothing about.please go and take a look at DA,try to be a voice to the people that need help getting out of drugs and drinking rum.half of our young people drinking rum and looking at it as sewo they sewoing.please mind your bussiness donkey have no right in horse race,clean up your backyard first.
what happen to mister nah he not asking for dominican he asking for cuban all you going to do is make it harder for dominican to get a dammm visa to come and visit america boy warn your self en
We are free to critize our government or the opposition.We can demonstrate even block the roads if the authorities don’t react immediately.Now cell phones are like little toys in Da,some children having one in each ear.Nowadays every house has a computer.Even old me, a household of 4, have four computers.
Now all afore-mentioned is a dream in Cuba.
My brother, if you love the Cubans,Tell Castro,,,,,,,SET THE CUBANS FREE, or forever hold your peace.Amen and amen
Dear Mr. Lowe,
I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence concerning the “Cuban Five”
It is none of your DAMN BUSINESS what America does within its borders; GO TO HELL, GO TO HELL, GO TO HELL.
Barak Obama.
Papa Dom, LMAO…hehehehehehe
Dear Mr. Lowe,
I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence concerning the “Cuban Five”.
Currently I am busy campaigning for an election, but I will be sure to pass on your correspondence to Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State.
Obama: “Hilary look, write this “jack@$$ back for me nuh.”
Hilary: “STUPES!! I die nah??”
Ummmmm, isn’t there something else that they could expend their time one. Things of more national significance. Give me a break. You all are killing me in this here country. Calling on the president of the us of a. What a thing.
STuppppppsssssss….tell them to free the political and innocent prisoners in Cuba….magwaysa man!!!!!
I am left perplexed as to why Dominica is soooo backward. Dominicans know soo much but at the same time are soo ignorant!
Yall behave like Obama is some little god, why because he chocolate coloured? Paint him in white, and the opinion sure shall change.
Wait till he sanctions yall backside for not decriminalizing homosexuality. Then when the oil reserves run out, put bomb in all u backside for water. Blind bats.
some of us behaving as if skerritt is a little god.
why that local group won’t shut up? they can’t talk for Dominicans but they want to tell Obama set men free..RUBBISH!!!! u want them to come and spy on us? Obama please give them life time……………let them stay just there
Mr. Obama is no friend of the Cuban leader,why dont you ask Skerrit to speak to his boosome buddy the Cuban leader.
Cuba acknowledges that the five men were intelligence agents, but said they were spying on Miami’s Cuban exile community, not the US government. Pure propaganda by the Cuban officials. I don’t have anything against Cuba, but this lame excuse has no legs to stand on.
Lowe your reasoning bears no wait.
these people who are referred to as “intelligence officers” collected intelligence of another country for their country without authorization and got caught in the process sounds like they are “spies,” who were prosecuted and sentenced. what more is there to this story?
Thats a good thing my brother, Cuba is our allies nation in the Caribbean and we should show them that we care. Cuba offer free education for our children and medicine to our health centers and hospitals. What has America done for us?
so the USA are not our alies? And we don’t obtain scholarships from the USA. mate if u have no piont dont type…
That’s a very unfortunate comment considering the thousands of Dominicans who reside in the U.S.
Cause we never ask for help from America. We rather go to rural countries and beg then sell our passports to get them visa. Shut your ignorant mouth up. And if I remember clearly I heard America was the first country to give DA aid after hurricane David.
No, it was the old reviled colonial power U.K. that came to our rescue first. They were on the scene the very next day,despite rough seas andconsiderable risks to themselves. But your point is very valid.
When writing for the world to see, we should remember warnings like these coming from a poet, a politician and a prophet:
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” William Shakespeare
“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do.” Benjamin Franklin
“…but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matt. 5:22
GUESS where most of the cruise ships come from… AMERICA
GUESS where most of the barrels come from…
AMERICA
GUESS who sponsored many of our scholarship sto study overseas…
AMERICA
guess who studied in America…..SKERRIT
lol.
I don’t get your point. Why not ask the cuban govt, to free there people. Boy don’t start something you can’t handle.
@ Peace
Do not let that impress you and think that Cuba is so goody-two shoes. Beware of those of non-democratic countries who offer help and free of charge. This is one way of Cuba establishing itself in the islands by being nice and offering free scholarship, schooling, etc. This is how flies are caught; not with vinegar but with honey – sweetness.
wooooooooooooooooooooooooye me daybah! is derrrrt..hhahahah noticing mr dem want nah?..struuuups
But Dominica always in some bogus news. What you begging Obama to release Cuban prisoners? Them people is Cubans not Dominicans. And hear the group again, a terrorist gang!!! Boy that country turn corrupt under skerrit leadership. Dominica all in middle east begging money to fix road. Smh
well go and free them nuh!! allu want to put missle base in cuba and allu expected the mighty U.S to not move to defend their people.. WELL only in DOMINICA the state does not defend its people and constitution. Dominica have no place in CUBAN affairs. IMHO
Non, you’re a real IDIOT eh!!!!!
oh gosh, you making me blush
SAY IT LOUD.
gasa lemme alone tan.
so um….what that have to do with Dominicans? I don’t understand where dominicans coming in dat?
Franky tell Obama we will swap Sick Secko for the Fab 5 and some of the drug dealers know by the US government . Then we will send the fab 5 back to cuba and release Denny to serve as state witness against the real criminals in Dominica.
Nice one
LIKE THAT ONE
One word: Stupes!!!
Some people too like noticing.
That is why I love America. Dominicans can stay in little Dominica and voice our disgust and hatred for America, we can call them Mongais Rum drinkers and spew all kind of anti Americanism to please Chavez and kadaffi etc and then America will still provide assistance to us. Now Franky and the rest of you try talking negative about Cuba or Chavez or even china – try publically condemning these countries on human right violation and we will see how quick they will kick us to the curb. Franky you my boy from PSS days. There were students who went to cuba way before you and some of them had the same passion when they came back to Dominica- Guess what today I know many of them who ran to America and singing from a different book. My advise to you Franky is don’t make a fool of yourself dude – You expect America to listen to a little dude from Zicack?
When i saw the heading of this story i expected the empty barrels to come out and make the most noise.
Bold face they bold face!! and so stupid too, I vex wee, but what I hearing there noh, but who Lowe think he is and who gave him the right to talk on behalf of Dominicans? Skerrit better put that boy straight and back in his place cause it seems like he is really out of place. You want to tell Mr. Obama what to do with American business? boy shut your mouth and go back in your hole…seems like they should arrest you too cause you putting the country in trouble. Remember, Donkey has no place in horse race!
From these comments I’m reading here and those giving thumbs up to the idiotic comments holds true to the saying by the former PM Pierre Charles that Dominicans hold their ignorance as a badge of honour. This gropup has as much right to speak on an issue it deems important, as you ignorant, coward fools have the right to type rubbish from behind the comfort of your computers.
sorry frankie .but you should talk for dominican ,not for cuban .nice to see you though after a long long time
So when it’s Muslims or Africa or other “third world” countries are suffering from injustices done by imperialist powers no one speaks out. When the victims retaliate then they are seen in the wrong because of the Imperialists propaganda media machine.
This “little band” has exposed the evil of the American Empire who can send CIA in every corner of the world, however, when Cuba tries to defend itself by installing the same spies, not against the American government but against expatriates of its own country these men are given life imprisonment? Really?
Now these jacks on D.N.O talking about stay away from this and that issue, you people are so brain dead that these imperialists have used the “divide and rule” method. Why doesn’t America and Europe stay out of people’s affairs? Nah, they understand too well to unite upon objectives. Can we do that as a people? Oh no, many still suffer from the slave legacy and it’s a dam shame in the 21st century.
When the CIA operatives are caught aren’t they punished? Then why shouldn’t the Cuban’s be punished as well? If the Cuban government cared for their spies as much as other countries did, then they would cut a deal. Let them suckers rot in jail until their government see it important enough to cut a deal for their freedoms. Why are Russian and other spies quickly released based on deals cut by their government? What is wrong with Cuba doing the same?
You talk about CIA sending their agents world wide Gus’s what they don’t get caught
victory attained by violence is tantamount to defeat.
-ghandi
even moreso, for so noble a cause as that which we are striving for…. we need patience in order to mount any movement for change, if not, what then would the tyranny that we seek to eliminate? shouldn’t it be patience, tolerance, togetherness, equal opportunity and opportunity itself???
if not these then what are we fighting for?? when is this discomfort that we hold in common, which brings us all together wanting change???
*would replace the tyranny *
@ opinionated
Are you aware in Africa many Catholic Christians are being persecuted and murdered by Muslims, while they attended Holy Mass, right in the church, and outside of the church, when going to church and coming out of church. I have not heard anyone denouncing those murders. We hear nothing from the United Nations. I have not even heard about those murders through the secular Media.
I heard it through the U.S. Catholic Media, TV and Radio, Eternal Word Television (EWTN).
The Muslims said that if the Sharia Law is not established in Africa they will murder all of them.
The African Catholics, those who are left are living in fear and not even the African government is assisting them.
I would also think that other Christians in Africa are persecuted and murdered by Muslims.
Africa belongs to the Africans. Mohammed spread his false teaching and propaganda throughout Africa. Muslims should never have been in living in Africa. I am also stating, as well, in the democratic world. They are nothing but trouble. Wherever they migrate they are spreading lack of peace among people and committing murders.
Tell the pope to use the money collected to pay for pedophile lawsuits to use that money to help their “African Catholics” instead.
There are many Nigerians who want sharia law so respect the wishes of the people and tell the west to stay the hell away from Muslim affairs.
We, Dominicans love to meddle in issues we have no business getting into. I mean come man, this is overreaching, DA has enough problems already and here you are worrying about Cuba like they cannot take care of themselves. And you even mentioning Alpha 66; the US government knows about that organization so there is no need for you to get involved in that. You are getting way over your head bro. Use your energy and resources wisely.
Frankie boy President Obama is quite busy with his re-election campaign he cyah hear you.
Do you guys really have your priorities right.Right infront of your faces, Skerrit is flaunting the constitution of Dominica left right and center,nothing is said. Presently we are in the middle of a constitutional crisis,the D/CA Cuba Friendship Ass. is silent.What kind of friendship are they taking about,when young kids going to another country to further their education are blown out of the skies because certain groups have a problem with a leader,you want forgiveness.If a Domincan was on that aircraft,I wander what would be said today.
OK Franky – Let us go one step further. Ask the Cuban government to release all the political prisoners in Cuba. You asking that the US government deal with Alpha 66 and to release the Miami 5 – I did not here you talk about the US contractor that was recently sentenced to prison in Cuba for trying to set up his internet platform. Was this contractor operating as a spy? I don’t know but he was not charged as a spy but for violating cuba’s no tolerance for freedom of communication. Franky true friends tell each other where they are wrong. Like terrorism the violation of human rights is certainly unacceptable anywhere and instead of talking about espionage, secrete agents etc why not focus on the fundamental rights of every human being.
Padna ask Obama to help Dominica instead eh and behave yourself….Mister doh have nothing better to do man ? stupesss…..there are so many Dominicans jailed all over the world…nobody does cry for them nuh.
Stupes look nonsense!
Why Lowe and his group tell the Skerrit govt that the president they are trying to install is unconstitutional. We have more pressing matters home than this overseas matter, let’s build our country then we will look after someone else.
And if President Obama does not release them, your group should go to the White House, enter the Oval Office and demand that he releases them forthwith. The brave and intelligent group that you are. Then, we in Dominica will truly be proud of you all. “Les ban sorte.”
lol!!!!!!!!!! haven’t heard that term in awhile.
you boi hush u mouth dey and mine u business befo you mek Americans tun pan awew eh !! dem cubans char handle dem ting, nor go put Dominica pan nor badi bad list ok. meya wrn u good.
these ppl mad or what garcon u all were told when u went to cuba to stay out of ALL political issues so now u all have left cuba u all wanna enter this domain… garcon get focused on real tangible goals… and stop this rubbish…
Estoy de acuerdo
And while you are at it Mr. Obama, please release all murderers and child molester who just happen to be cuban.I get someone asking for pardon for a group of people, what I dont get is the fact that there is no remorse shown in the requesting of the pardon, how are they any different from the young man with a family who has been sentenced to 20 year for theft, or any other criminal who must do his time for the crime that he has commited. Didn’t they mention conspiracy to commit murder?
I would consider Alpha 66 to be Freedom Fighters who are trying to end the Castro dictatorship in their country Cuba.
DA need to hope such a group of DA patriots living in the US will be your Freedom Fighters if the current political regime continues on it’s path. Skerrit is happy to sell his soul to China..a communist country. You don’t get anything for free and Skerrit contnues to align DA with authoritarian military dictatorships. He won’t need a domestic military…he will call on the Chinese.