FROM
CUBA
State security's penetration of Cuban
society all-pervasive, says ex-agent
HAVANA, January 13 (www.cubanet.org) -
A former agent of the Department of
State Security who asked not to be identified
says every segment of Cuban society is under
surveillance by infiltrated security personnel.
The former agent said Masonic lodges, the
Catholic church, and Protestant denominations
all have undercover agents among their members
who gather information about possible poles
of resistance to the government, as well
as about the attitudes and opinions of the
membership.
Groups practicing religions of African
origin are given priority, said the ex-agent,
adding that these groups are infiltrated
to a greater extent than even dissident
groups, because typically dissidents operate
openly, whereas African religious groups
tend to operate as secret societies.
This is a practice that goes back to colonial
times, when African cults were banned by
the authorities and secret societies were
organized by their practitioners to evade
persecution.
Another important duty for security agents
is to recruit new agents and informants
among the population, the ex-agent said,
preferring people with criminal and violent
backgrounds. He added that some form of
blackmail is the most usual tool employed
by the department to control and manipulate
new recruits.
Government offices are not exempt from
the department's vigilance, the former agent
said, adding that every block in every neighborhood
has at least one agent or informant watching
over the neighbors.
Versión
original en español
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