Cuban Poet Raul Rivero Receives Spanish Nationality

HAVANA TIMES, May 7 — The Spanish government approved the conferring of Spanish citizenship on Cuban poet and journalist Raul Rivero, his wife and daughter, reported the Cubaencuentro website.

In an interview with El Mundo, Rivero said the news was “greatly encouraging,” but added “I won’t forget where I come from or under what circumstances. Nor will I forget my ongoing commitment to work for Cuba to be free one day.”

The writer was sentenced by the Cuban authorities in 2003 to 20 years in prison during the “Black Spring” crackdown for collaborating with US operatives of the Bush administration and for exercising what he describes as “independent journalism.” He was released two years later under strong pressure from the US and Europe.