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The senior official from the United States Department of State, Mike Kozak, held meetings this Wednesday with Cuban activists in defense of human rights.
A statement from the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba confirmed the meeting through their profiles on the social network X.
In the meetings, activists Carolina Barrero (Director of Citizenship and Freedom), Lilian Lucena (Program Officer at Justice Consortium), Carlos Ponce (Executive Director and CFO of Justice Consortium Inc.), and Javier Larrondo (President of Prisoners Defenders International) denounced the ongoing repression of the Cuban regime against civil society and political prisoners.
Kozak reaffirmed Washington's commitment to holding the Cuban government accountable until it respects human rights.
"We will continue to hold the Cuban regime accountable until it respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens. The United States remains steadfast in the importance of the release of all political prisoners that the regime unjustly detains," states the official statement.
The meeting is part of the ongoing efforts of the U.S. administration to support human rights defenders in Cuba and promote the release of political prisoners on the island.
Washington has maintained its critical stance towards the violation of fundamental rights by the Cuban government and has reiterated its support for independent civil society.
The reports from Cuban activists to U.S. authorities reinforce the growing international pressure on the Havana regime to end repression and ensure respect for the rights of its citizens.
This week, the platform Justicia 11J reported that the Cuban regime resumed the release of political prisoners after more than a month of pause and international pressure.
On Thursday, Iván Mauricio Arocha Arocha, Brusnelvis Adrián Cabrera Gutiérrez, Ohaurys Rondón Rivero, and Yaquelin Castillo García were released.
Arocha Arocha was released as part of the official announcement regarding the granting of freedom to 553 individuals who were sanctioned. Cabrera Gutiérrez and Rondón Rivero were granted parole. The releases are the result of negotiations and are part of their campaign in favor of political prisoners in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Meeting of Cuban Activists with U.S. Officials
What topics were discussed in the meeting between Mike Kozak and the Cuban activists?
During the meeting, the ongoing repression of the Cuban regime against civil society and political prisoners was discussed. Kozak reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to hold the Cuban government accountable until it respects human rights and the fundamental freedoms of its citizens.
Who participated in the meetings with the senior official from the U.S. State Department?
Cuban activists Carolina Barrero, Lilian Lucena, Carlos Ponce, and Javier Larrondo participated in meetings with Mike Kozak. They denounced the repression of the Cuban regime to U.S. authorities.
What position has the United States maintained regarding human rights in Cuba?
The United States maintains a critical stance towards human rights violations by the Cuban government and has reiterated its support for independent civil society, advocating for the release of political prisoners on the island.
What is the current context of the releases of political prisoners in Cuba?
Recently, the Cuban regime resumed the releases of political prisoners after more than a month of pause, in response to international pressure. The releases are part of negotiations and are under a regime of monitoring and imposed conditions.
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