Members of Congress commemorate 2-year death Anniversary of Cuban pro-democracy leader and hero, Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Albio Sires, and David Rivera released the following statements recognizing the two-year anniversary of the death of pro-democracy hero, Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

Orlando Zapata Tamayo was a member of the pro-democracy organizations Movimiento Alternativa Republicana and the Consejo Nacional de Resistencia Civica. Hewas arrested several times by the Castro regime, the last arrest occurred on March 20, 2003 during Cuba’s notorious “Black Spring.” During his many years in prison, he suffered beatings, humiliation, and long periods of solitary confinement. On December 3, 2009, he began a hunger strike to protest abhorrent prison conditions and arbitrary extensions of his sentences. During that time, he was deprived of water and ultimately developed pneumonia after being kept naked underneath an air conditioner. Zapata Tamayo died at the hands of the Castro regime on February 23, 2010.

Statement by Diaz-Balart:

“We continue to lament the loss of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, and the senseless deaths of so many other brave activists, yet his spirit and mission have strengthened Cuba’s courageous pro-democracy movement. Immediately following his death, other political prisoners picked up his cause and began hunger strikes of their own, renamed a pro-democracy organization in his honor, and many recognize Zapata Tamayo as a symbol of perseverance in the face of crushing totalitarianism. The regime robbed the world of a remarkable and courageous leader but his memory will outlast the horrors of the dying Castro regime. He will always be remembered as a hero who helped lead Cuba into freedom.”

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Two years ago, a brave Cuban patriot, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, died while standing up for freedom and human rights in Cuba. Like so many others, Tamayo passed away before seeing his dream of a free Cuba realized. However, we can all find solace and pride in his contributions to the cause for which so many have died, and so many continue to struggle. Tamayo’s sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all those who refuse to accept an imprisoned Cuba, have helped the Cuban people up a path which will eventually lead to liberty.”

Statement by Sires:

“It has been two years since the world lost Orlando Zapata Tamayo. Although the Castro regime has refused to change, Zapata’s struggle for freedom and the legacy he left behind have not been forgotten. All those who believe in justice and basic human rights continue to mourn the loss of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, and we will continue to tell his story and tell of the horrors in Cuba. We will continue to stand with the Cuban people in their fight for freedom.”

Statement by Rivera:

“Two years ago, the cause of a free and democratic Cuba lost a leader and a patriot with the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo. He died at the hands of the brutally oppressive Castro regime, after 85 days on a hunger strike denouncing human rights abuses and the lack of civil rights on the island. In the time since Zapata Tamayo’s death, we have seen increased harassment and persecution of peaceful dissidents, resulting in the deaths of Ladies in White Founder Laura Pollán and activist WIlman Villar Mendoza. However, while the blood of these brave dissidents is on the hands of the Castro brothers, Orlando Zapata Tamayo’s legacy lives on in the civil resistance efforts of groups all over the island who are protesting the regime’s repression in the hopes of one day achieving freedom and democracy for the Cuban people.”