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FROM
CUBA
Cuban
independent journalist denied exit visa
HAVANA, August 22 (www.cubanet.org) - The migration
office of the Ministry of the Interior denied
independent journalist Oscar Mario González
an exit visa to travel to Sweden to visit his
daughter and grandson.
The refusal was due to “orders,” officials
told González, without specifying from
whom. González said he had gone to the
migration office after receiving a summons from
a major Enrique, who told him “for now, you
can’t travel; your trip is canceled. When
you can travel, we’ll call you on the phone.”
González had 90-day visa to Sweden to
visit his family and had already purchased his
plane ticket on Spanish airline Iberia.
“Officials told me I would have to return
next Thursday to pick up a letter which I can
take to the bank for reimbursement of the 150
dollars I paid for the exit permit. I also have
to cancel my flight,” said González.
“This is a repressive measure against those
of us who fight for freedom of expression,”
said González. “My daughter will be
sad when she learns the news. I’m sorry for
her and for my grandson.”
Similar measures have been employed before by
the Department of State Security against dissidents
and journalists, who are typically told that an
exit visa may be forthcoming if they refrain from
pursuing their activities.
González, however, vowed to carry on.
“I’ll continue working in journalism.”
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