Diaz-Balart Calls for the Release of Ladies in White Member Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband Ignacio Martínez Montejo, and activist Isabel Hayde Alvarez Mosqueda

Miami, FL– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) called for the immediate release of democracy activists Ivonne Malleza Galano, Ignacio Martínez Montejo, and Isabel Hayde Alvarez Mosqueda, who were brutally detained on November 30, 2011 for protesting Cuba's crushing hunger and poverty in Havana’s Fraternity Park. Ivonne Malleza Galano and Isabel Hayde Alvarez Mosqueda are held in the infamous Manto Negro prison; Ignacio Martinez Montejo is currently imprisoned in the Combinado del Este prison. Last month, Amnesty International condemned their arrest and called on the regime to recognize the basic freedoms of expression, association and assembly for all Cubans.

“The imprisonment of Ladies in White member Ivonne Malleza Galano, her husband Ignacio Martínez Montejo, and pro-democracy activist Isabel Hayde Alvarez Mosqueda is another appalling reminder of the marked depravity of the Cuban regime. The United States and the international community should demonstrate unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and they should show particular solidarity with these brave prisoners of conscience.

“Despite escalating repression, the people of Cuba are showing an increasing tenacity in the face of tyranny. In fact, reportedly a crowd of observers to the protest in Havana intervened to try to prevent Castro’s thugs from arresting the activists. Now is the time to support Cuba’s growing freedom movement by calling attention to the injustice of their imprisonment and cutting off the Castro regime from any financial, rhetorical or moral support. The brave opposition deserves our unequivocal commendation for their struggle to secure basic freedoms, and they should have our committed refusal to bolster their oppressors with U.S. dollars and unilateral concessions. Certainly, the Cuban people deserve no less.”