Diaz-Balart Statement on Passing of Dr. Huber Matos

WASHINGTON — Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement on the passing of Dr. Huber Matos.

“Today, we lost a dedicated advocate of freedom for the Cuban people.

“Dr. Huber Matos, who originally was part of Castro’s so-called ‘revolution,’ quickly grew disillusioned with the direction of the Castro regime. He was subsequently imprisoned by the Cuban dictator for 20 years. While imprisoned, he engaged in hunger strikes and other protests, and endured solitary confinement, death threats, and torture.

“Once leaving Cuba, Dr. Matos worked with international contacts to promote Cuban liberty. Among his many philanthropic activities, he founded Cuba Independiente y Democrática and the Huber Matos Foundation for Democracy with the goal of fostering democracy and human rights in Latin America, and especially Cuba.

“I am deeply saddened that Dr. Matos did not see freedom realized in Cuba during his lifetime, and send my deepest condolences to his family.”