Release of Cuban political prisoners may be close

By Manuel Alberto Ramy

Havana, 5/23/2010 (Radio Progreso Alternativa) – The release of political prisoners may begin within the next 24 hours, sources close to the Catholic Church in Havana informed the Progreso Weekly Havana Bureau.

According to the source the first moves will consist of the relocation of the sickest prisoners to hospitals and the others to their home provinces.

Guillermo Farinas, the oppositionist on a hunger strike and currently in a Santa Clara hospital, told the PW bureau that if the Cuban authorities were to free “the 10 sickest prisoners … I believe that we could seriously consider finalizing the hunger strike.”

Another source (whose affirmation has yet to be confirmed) told the PW bureau that Cuba’s Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) – most who are family members of the political prisoners – planned on issuing a release in support of the Catholic Church’s actions.