events 2008

Daisy Benitez sells American flags as a Cuban flag flies across the street as Cuban exiles gathered in the Miami neighborhood of Little Havana after Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president after nearly a half-century in power, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008.  [(c) AP Images]

President Bush Calls for Prisoner Release in Cuba

February 19, 2008

Speaking in Rwanda on February 19, President Bush stressed: "I believe that the change from Fidel Castro ought to begin a period of democratic transition. First step, of course, will be for people put in these prisons to be let out. I've met with many of the -- or some of the families of prisoners. It just breaks your heart to realize that people have been thrown in prison because they dared speak out.

The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy. And eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections -- and I mean free and I mean fair, not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as being true democracy.

And we're going to help -- the United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty."

To read the complete press release please click here.