Cuba’s Parliament Speaker makes U.S. responsible for Hernandez’ health condition and confinement

Cuba’s Parliament Speaker makes U.S. responsible for Hernandez’ health condition and confinementHavana,Jul 29.- National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon denounced Wednesday that the U.S. government holds Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, one of the Cuban Five, in solitary confinement in spite of his health conditions.

Hernández Nordelo has been in “the Hole” since July 21st, and Cuba’s efforts to contact whether penitentiary officials or the State Department in order to clear up the situation have been fruitless, Alarcon told press at Havana’s Conference Palace.

He described this situation as serious because the prisoner is in a very small punishment cell lacking ventilation along with other convicts.

The U.S. government is aware of the fact that Gerardo has been suffering from a serious illness since April, but he was only allowed to see a doctor on July 20.   

His health problem seems to be related to a bacterium which, according to the doctor, has been circulating among the prisoners; ironically he was sent to “the Hole” a day after, said Cuba’s Parliament Speaker.

In addition, Alarcon said that the Cuban antiterrorist fighter also suffers from high blood pressure problems. He is just 45, but has lived in very difficult conditions for 12 years without any medical treatment, however he has remained steadfast in his struggle.

Hernandez and his four companions were arrested on September 1998 for they were monitoring Florida-based terrorists groups which were planning attacks against Cuba and the leaders of its Revolution. (ACN/Radio Cadena Agramonte)