Four Cuban Former Political Prisoners Arrested in Madrid

HAVANA TIMES — Spanish police arrested four former political prisoners on Wednesday who were camping outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they were demanding a “solution” to the cut off of financial support they had been receiving from that government.

“They dragged them on the ground and hit them in their faces and arms. One has a broken nose and a broken foot,” protested Francisco Bacallao, the secretary of the Cuban People’s Movement, speaking to Europa Press by telephone.

Although they haven’t broken up the camp, which has consisted of at least 20 people since April 10, the protesters have taken away their mattresses.

“We want the Spanish government to comply with the agreement or to mediate with another European Union country or the US to accept us,” said one protester, who added that they’ll only give up their protest when they obtain a response to their demands.

A total of 606 Cubans have been in Spain since 2010 as a result of an agreement between Havana and Madrid under which they were to be provided assistance for a year and a half.