RURAL POLICE BLACKMAILS THE FARMERS IN CIFUENTES, VILLA CLARA

Distributed by CubaNet

HAVANA, March 17, 1997 (Havana Press).- Marcelo Fernandez, a.k.a. "Caja de Bolas", chief of the police unit in the central area of Vaquerito, Cifuentes municipality, in the province of Villa Clara, has been systematically harassing, intimidating and blackmailing the farmers in this area with fines of up to 5, 000 pesos, said fines are then recinded when he’s offered some edible animal such as pork, mutton, chicken or any other farm product.

"At this time, we are holding the leadership of the regional government responsible for the behavior of this man, who, using his position of authority, has been extorting, with a total lack of scruples, from the farmers in this region," said Jose Acosta Miller, president of the Felix Varela Civic Association, who gave this denunciation to Havana Press. Reported by Joaquin Torres Alvarez.