Outcry over detention of activist visiting Cuba

http://www.puertoricowow.com/
Wednesday, May 12th, 2004.

SAN JUAN (AP) - The Hostosiano National Congress and New Movement for Independence condemned on Wednesday the alleged temporary detention and interrogation by Federal Agents of an organization delegate returning from Cuba.

Congress spokesman Hector Pesquera said that the alternate delegate for the Puerto Rican Mission to Cuba, Jose Berrios, was detained for three hours on Saturday as he arrived from Cuba. His passport was confiscated, along with books and documents detailing Puerto Rico's struggle for Independence.

"We will not be intimidated.We will not tolerate imperial impositions restricting travel to Cuba," said Pesquera.

"We demand that the United States respect fundamental rights and cease these confrontational practices and persecution of those who for political, cultural, athletic, or personal reasons decide to travel to the Republic of Cuba," added Pesquera.

He also said that federal customs agents also opened personal mail from Cuban relatives and Puerto Ricans residing in the neighboring island which were in Berrios' possession.

The accusations arise as President George W. Bush announces stricter travel restrictions against Cuba.

"It is an action without president in the 30 years of the Puerto Rican Mission to Cuba. We will not forgo our right as Puerto Ricans to fight for our independence at the international level and interact with our Caribbean neighbors, as well as with overall international community," said Pesquera.

The Puerto Rican Mission to Cuba was established in 1970 as quasi embassy in Cuba by the Pro Independence Movement, which later became the Puerto Rican Socialist Party (PSP).

With PSP's disappearance, in 1993 the Puerto Rican Mission to Cuba was administered by The New Movement for Independence.