Statement of

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek Regarding the Arrest and Recent Release in Cuba of Antúnez and 6 Others in Havana

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) released the following statement after learning that Cuban dissident Antúnez and six others were arrested in Havana over the weekend and released late last night:

"On May 20 – a day of important historical significance for Cuban Americans – I met with Berta Antúnez, sister of political dissident Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Antúnez in my Washington, DC office.  The genuine concern and apprehension she expressed for her brother was heartfelt.  I pledged that her family's story would not go unheard in the halls of Congress.  My message was that it is unacceptable for Cuba to continue imprisoning political prisoners and dissidents who could one day lead a free Cuba, similar to the case of Nelson Mandela who was held in a South African prison and became a future leader of his country. 

"To learn that days after my meeting with Berta meeting, her brother Antúnez was arrested for leading a peaceful political demonstration further demonstrates that the Castro regime would rather silence political opponents than allow free speech to flourish on the island.  Berta Antúnez's message of hope that she delivered to me days ago resonate with me even more so now and my thoughts and prayers are with her family as Antúnez remains a dissident in Cuba."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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PRONUNCIAMIENTO DEL REPRESENTANTE KENDRICK B. MEEK SOBRE EL ARRESTO EN CUBA DE ANTUNEZ Y SEIS OTROS EN HABANA

WASHINGTON, DC – El Representante Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) emitió hoy el siguiente pronunciamiento después de aprender que el disidente Antunez y seis otros fueron arrestados en Habana este fin de semana:

"20 de Mayo, un día con grandes implicaciones históricas para Cubano-Americanos – me reuní con Berta Antunez, hermana de el disidente político Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez en mi oficina de Washington D.C. La legítima preocupación y aprensión que ella me expreso por su hermano fueron conmovedoras. Le empeñe que la historia de su familia no iría sin escucharse en los corredores del Congreso.

"Para aprender que solamente días después de nuestra reunión, Antunez fue arrestado solo demuestra el régimen de Castro prefiere silenciar rivales políticos antes de permitir que la libertad de expresión florezca en la isla. El mensaje que Berta Antunez me comunico hace unos días de esperanza reverberan asta mas ahora y mis pensamientos y rezos están con su familia."

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El Representante Kendrick B. Meek representa el 17º Distrito Congresional de Florida, que incluye parte de los condados de Miami-Dade y Broward. Es el único Demócrata de Florida miembro del Comité de Medios y Arbitrajes de la Cámara de Representantes.