In Miami, Giuliani vows to pressure Cuba [View All]

Source: Miami Herald

In Miami, Giuliani vows to pressure Cuba
Posted on Thu, Dec. 27, 2007
BY ANDRES AMERIKANER
aamerikaner@MiamiHerald.com

Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani stumped Thursday afternoon at the Bay of Pigs Museum in Little Havana, offering up tough talk on ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his brother, Raúl, who is now in charge of the island's communist government.

In a brief campaign speech in front of an audience of about 60 people, Giuliani exalted the work of the exile Brigade 2506, which led the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, calling them patriots who sacrificed themselves to spread freedom and democracy.

If elected president, Giuliani said, he will increase pressure on the Cuban government in an effort to bring democratic, multiparty elections after almost 49 years of Castro rule.

''We will not accept attempts to preserve Castroism in any form,'' said Giuliani, who wore a white plastic bracelet inscribed with the word cambio, or ''change''. ``Cuba, I hope and pray, will move closer to freedom.''

Giuliani's visit came after a recent surge by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, currently his main competition in Florida polls. Supporting Giuliani were Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez and state Rep. René García, whose district includes Miami Lakes and Hialeah.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/358888.html

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