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Diaz-Balart Demands Immediate Release of El Sexto

September 28, 2015

WASHINGTON – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement calling for the immediate release of Cuban artist Danilo Maldonado Machado, known as "El Sexto."

"Reports indicate that El Sexto, a Cuban artist who has been imprisoned since December 2014 for his artwork that the Castro regime finds objectionable, is very sick. According to these reports, he has continued a hunger strike since September 8 and is suffering in deplorable conditions in the Valle Grande prison.

"Earlier this month, El Sexto penned a farewell letter to his family and all those who have supported him in his calls for freedom. In his letter, he said that he is willing to give his life a hundred times for Cuba's freedom. This courageous artist has risked everything for Cuba's future. We must do all we can to ensure that he does not perish in Castro's prison.

"El Sexto has been in prison since the month of President Obama's announcement promising ever further capitulations to the Castro regime. I call on the president, and others who purport to support freedom for the Cuban people, to join me in demanding El Sexto's immediate and unconditional release."

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Issues:Cuba