Diaz-Balart: The results of Castro's reforms

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following in response to the death of Cuba’s courageous hero, Wilman Villar Mendoza. Diaz-Balart comments:

"Today, we mourn the loss of another one of Cuba's courageous heroes, Wilman Villar Mendoza, who died at the hands of the ruthless Castro regime.

“Villar Mendoza, part of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, ultimately lost his life for daring to protest the Castro regime's increased repression. After his arrest on November 14, 2011, Villar Mendoza began a hunger strike that lasted more than 50 days. While in a coma, dying of pneumonia in the Juan Bruno Zayas hospital in Santiago, the Castro regime reportedly locked down the hospital to prevent supporters from visiting him and his family until he died.

“The Castro regime once again has revealed its true nature and has precious, innocent blood on its hands. It has not yet been two years since the regime murdered another hero, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, for similarly expressing his opposition to repression. These deaths are the results of Castro’s reforms.

“Soon, Cuba's real criminals will have to account for these crimes. Until then, President Obama must cease rewarding the regime's human rights abuses with unilateral concessions in the form of eased sanctions that channel hard currency to Castro's thugs. It is shameful that this administration has chosen to assist the Cuban people's oppressors in the face of such relentless, unabashed brutality. When the dictatorship finally fades to a grim aberration in Cuban history -- as it inevitably will -- the Cuban people will remember their friends. Sadly, the current administration is not a friend to the long-suffering Cuban people when it appeases and assists their abusers. Mr. President, the Cuban people deserve better.

“My prayers are with Wilman Villar Mendoza, his wife Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, his young children, and the brave activists that have suffered unspeakable brutality for expressing their solidarity with them. Villar Mendoza forever will be a blessing to the Cuban people in their struggle against tyranny, and we must never forget his sacrifice. God bless his soul.”