Latin America

flamingdem

(39,313 posts) Thu Sep 27, 2012, 12:52 AM Sep 2012

Cuba Airs Tape Questioning Dissident Hunger Strike

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cuba-airs-tape-questioning-dissident-hunger-strike-17325047#.UGPaFfl25B4

** More theater paid for by US taxpayers no doubt. All a show for Miami news and later sanctions from the US govt.

Cuban state television aired images Tuesday night raising questions about the recent hunger strike by a prominent dissident.

The 15-minute segment broadcast on the nightly news included testimony from a neighbor saying he took fruit and vegetables to dissident Martha Beatriz Roque.

Video supposedly shot outside Roque's home showed someone passing avocados and other food inside a window to a woman. Her face was not visible, but the voice on the audio sounded like Roque's.

"She told me in a very low voice, 'I am on hunger strike.' I asked for how long. 'Since yesterday,'" said a man identified as Humberto Gonzalez. He described himself as a neighbor with a window adjacent to Roque.

"She said she needed me to get her fruits, vegetables, above all things that didn't need cooking, and she gave me money," Gonzalez said.

Reached by phone late Tuesday, Roque declined to confirm or deny the veracity of the images, expressing anger over the public transmission of private conversations and accusing authorities of trying to discredit the purpose of the protest.

"You offend me with that question," she said. "An avocado cannot bring down a hunger strike."

Roque and at least two dozen other activists announced the hunger strike Sept. 10 to demand the release of Jorge Vazquez, an anti-government activist imprisoned for common crimes. They called off the protest Sept. 18, saying the government had promised to free Vazquez.

The TV report included a recorded phone conversation in which Vazquez's wife purportedly told Roque that he was not prepared to keep up the protest.

At minute 5:15 watch the aguacates etc go into the window!

4 replies

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Highlight:

Cuba Airs Tape Questioning Dissident Hunger Strike (Original Post) flamingdem Sep 2012 OP

Ha, ha, ha. Wouldn't you know it? I noted the "news" flashes on Marta Beatriz Judi Lynn Sep 2012 #1

If they ever DO normalize relations with Cuba, you can be sure Marta will be moving to Miami Judi Lynn Sep 2012 #2

Why would she do that? If relations normalize people like her... joshcryer Sep 2012 #4

Over 30 Cubans participated in the hunger strike. joshcryer Sep 2012 #3

Judi Lynn

(160,555 posts)

1. Ha, ha, ha. Wouldn't you know it? I noted the "news" flashes on Marta Beatriz

Reply to flamingdem (Original post)

Thu Sep 27, 2012, 06:28 AM

Sep 2012

when she started her "huelga de hambre". Who really expected her to do it for long, anyway? Even for the short time she claimed to be striking, she was getting special deliveries through her window. Hilarious.

Flamingdem, were you at D.U. when some racist. separatist Eurpean-descended elite Bolivian politicians claimed they were hungerstriking, too?

A TV camera crew lurked outside the building where they were until after midnight and caught people sneaking in, of all things, FRIED CHICKEN to them for a little late night snack. Holy smokes!

Loved the photos of poor, meek Marta Beatriz flat on her back, looking as if she had been hit by a truck. and adored the video of her friends rubbing her arms and torso as if they were trying to keep her alive.

Luckily. she had the strength to take all those calls, from CANF in Miami, people from other organizations, the wife of the man Marta was supposed to be supporting, and a radio station in France. She had to show them she could speak French, as well. Guess she had just enough strength for that.

Noticed during one call her voice portrayed the imagined voice of someone lying near death's door. That was remarkable. Poor, poor hungry Marta Beatriz.

Who was surprised when she decided to end her "hunger strike"? It probably happened only when she grew tired of eating groceries that didn't have to be cooked, which could be smelled by neighbors.

What a liar. Again. Wonder if they send her extra US tax dollars for her special stunts as bonuses.

Thanks, flamingdem.

Judi Lynn

(160,555 posts)

2. If they ever DO normalize relations with Cuba, you can be sure Marta will be moving to Miami

Reply to flamingdem (Original post)

Thu Sep 27, 2012, 06:32 AM

Sep 2012

to live with her sister, since her meal ticket for U.S. government hand-outs for her service will have to fall by the wayside.

She'll have NADA when many U.S. citizens are coming and going regularly, and can check her out in person, and can get informed on the way Cuban citizens live, for themselves, and bring THAT news back to share with other U.S. citizens.

joshcryer

(62,276 posts)

4. Why would she do that? If relations normalize people like her...

Reply to Judi Lynn (Reply #2)

Thu Sep 27, 2012, 11:10 AM

Sep 2012

...will be the new oligarchs since they will have connections outside of Cuba. There's a reason some of these people stay, they're waiting for the wall to come down so they can get paid.

joshcryer

(62,276 posts)

3. Over 30 Cubans participated in the hunger strike.

Reply to flamingdem (Original post)

Thu Sep 27, 2012, 11:08 AM

Sep 2012

So one cheats and they use it to deflect from the entire hunger strike.

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