His Hunger Strike Over, Dissident Discuses Chile’s Role In Cuban Prisoners’ Release

An Interview with journalist Guillermo Fariñas



Written by Carlos Saldivia

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 07:10




Guillermo Fariñas, a Cuban journalist whose 135-day hunger strike was key in forcing the Castro government to release 52 political prisoners (some of which may take refuge in Chile) spoke to El Mercurio about his appreciation of La Moneda’s help in his “comrades’ struggles.”



El Mercurio: Are you happy with what happened?



Guillermo Fariñas: I would be happier if my fellow brothers didn’t have to leave the country, but…



EM: What do you think about the fact that Chile has told the Spanish Foreign Ministry and the Organization of American States (OAS) that it will host some of the freed prisoners?



GF: I think President (Sebastián) Piñera has done a great service by getting involved in this situation. He has been very receptive and hasn’t been afraid of the level of subversion the Castro government possesses, which seems to have frightened a lot of the other Latin American governments. The Chilean government is acting as a true democracy. Hopefully, some of the freed prisoners can come to Chile if they want, because it is one of most prosperous economies and societies in Latin America right now. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Cuba.



EM: There are at least two prisoners (Juan Juan Almeida and Jorge Luis García Pérez Antuñez) who are interested in coming to Chile when they are released. Do you know of anyone else who would be interested?



GF: From reading works by independent economists, such as Arnaldo Ramos, a prisoner in Havana, and reports by Oscar Espinosa, also one of the 75 arrested, the Cuban dissidents know about the situation in Chile. But I, personally, don’t know who is interested in coming.



EM: But you think Chile could be a good place to go?



GF: Yes. I think that it is a good place: There’s freedom of expression and it’s not as far away as Europe, and above all, there is democracy after years of a cruel dictatorship. This could serve very well to help Cuba’s reconstruction.



EM: What more could Chile’s government do to help?



GF: It could offer the prisoners refuge in its embassy, provide facilities for them to use the Internet, and invite them to various activities to emphasize that they are members of Cuban civil society. That would be a great show of solidarity for the Cuban community.



EM: Chile’s Foreign Ministry has said the doors of its embassy are open to any and all Cubans who need it…



GF: Right, but there’s been nothing said on the Internet right now, and it is very difficult to access the Internet. That would set a precedent for other Latin American countries who have not been carried away by the populism of Hugo Chavez, such as Colombia, Peru and Panama. What’s happened is that over the years, other Latin American countries have lived through the violent power of the Castro regime and are afraid of peaceful opponents in Cuba.



EM: How is your health?



GF: Right now, I have a deep vein thrombosis in the jugular vein of my neck and in the left clavicle of my collarbone. If the clot detaches, it could lodge in my heart or lungs, which could lead to sudden death, and the doctors wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. The last catheter I had also infected my femoral artery in my right leg, so I have a bruise that’s pressing on a nerve and causing me constant pain.



EM: What more do you need right now?



GF: Medication to help my recovery, such as vitamins, antihistamines and calcium. Also a wheelchair, because for a long time, I will have to get around this way. I can drink juice and tea and jelly. When I started the hunger strike, I weighed 180 pounds. Now I weigh 116 pounds.



EM: What is the possibility of the Chilean government’s being able to send medical supplies to the Cuban dissidents?



GF: It would be good. Anything like additional supplements for headaches, vitamins and high-blood pressure medications would be good and hopefully can be sent. We also have a shortage of wheelchairs.



EM: Finally, what message do you want to leave with Chileans?



GF: I know that Chileans suffered under the (Gen. Augusto) Pinochet dictatorship, and I ask them not to forget that there are still others suffering around the world under dictatorships. The Cuban people have suffered under this dictatorship for more than a half-century now. Also, I ask that they just support those who are terrified by the Cuban dictatorship. Solidarity can work miracles.



Piñera’s Efforts in Havana



El Mercurio also reported that President Piñera spoke on the phone with officials in Havana to prevent Fariñas’ death. Reportedly, he also explicitly told Havana that Chile was ready to accept all the prisoners who wanted to take refuge here, as well as their families.



Government sources also say the president instructed Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno and Octavio Errazuriz, Chile’s ambassador to the United Nations, to pressure Cuba to release the 52 political prisoners.



SOURCE: EL MERCURIO

Written By Carlos Saldivia