MODERATE
CUBAN
ORGANIZATIONS
[Reference: binder part 17 ]
MODERATE
Organization Name:
ASOCIACION POLITICA HISPANO-AMERICANA
(Hispanic American Political Association)
Leader: Gloria Franco
Synopsis:
This association consists of several exile freight forwarding agencies.
The group objects to stringent regulations which have been imposed on U.S.-Cuba
freight forwarding agencies companies by U.S. State Department. The
following groups and individuals belong to this association:
Centro de Asuntos Cubanos Frank Ferrer
Cuba Paquetes Nilda Serret
Vinales Express
Nuevo Miami esta en Cuba, Inc.
Cuba Tour
Monroe Express
Organization Name:
ASOCIACION POR LA PAZ CONTINENTAL
(Azopasco)
Leader: Maria Paz Nieto
Prominent members: Luis Zuniga
Synopsis:
An active organization, Azopasco is headed by former Alpha 66 member Luis
Zuniga. The organization is backed by the Cuban American National Foundation
and maintains close ties with Cuban- based activist groups.
Organization Name:
BRIDGE OF YOUNG CUBAN AMERICANS
Leader: Nicolas Gutierrez
Prominent member: Alberto Cosio
Synopsis:
Group members have participated in various local demonstrations (Inclusive
of 2/13/93 rally at Benetton Stores in Dadeland Mall.
Organization Name:
BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE
Leader: Jose Basulto
Membership Number: 25 volunteer pilots
Synopsis:
Brothers to the Rescue was originally founded in 1991. Since its inception,
the group has taken an active role in the rescue of distressed Cuban rafters.
To date the group has conducted over 100 missions and has assisted in the
rescue of over 400 rafters.
Brothers to the Rescue is headed by Jose Basulto and consists of 25 volunteers
pilots. The group utilizes two privately owned and two leased aircraft
as mode of transportation. Group missions consist of aerial canvasses
of the Gulf of Mexico in visual search for Cuban Rafters. The group
maintains a close relationship with U.S. coast Guard authorities and has
been praised for its good will nature.
Jose Basulto is a Bay of Pigs and U.S. Army veteran. While in the armed
forces, Basulto attained a rank of lieutenant and specialized in intelligence
services. Upon retirement from the armed forces Basulto attended University
of Miami where he attained a masters degree in civic engineering.
Brothers to the Rescue and Veterans of Special Mission Group collaborated
throughout the course of Flotilla 92. During that particular occasion
the group provided air coverage and air-to-land radio maintenance.
Organization Name:
CAMBIO CUBANO
(Cuban Change)
Leader: Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo
Prominent members: Bernardo Benes
Synopsis:
Cambio Cubano was founded in 1992 in Miami by long-time exile leader Eloy
Gutierrez-Menoyo.
Menoyo, a former guerrilla fighter in Castro's army at the Escambray region
of Cuba, turned against Castro and along with Nazario Sargen founded Alpha
66 in 1961. Captured by Castro forces on a guerrilla mission in the
mid 1960s, Menoyo spent the next 21 years in Cuba as a political prisoner.
Freed as part of a political prisoner release program, Menoyo arrived in
Miami and quickly joined the fight against Castro's government. Since
last year, when Menoyo formally gave up the armed struggle, he has been pursuing
peace as leader of the new exile organization Cambio Cubano.
At its most basic, Menoyo's group seeks a grand national accord involving
the Cuban government, exiles and dissidents in the island to replace Fidel
Castro peacefully.
Menoyo's chief target has been the Cuban American National Foundation, whose
leader Jorge Mas Canosa, rejects dialogue with Castro. Menoyo also
opposes the Cuban Freedom Act, better known as the Torrecelli Bill, authored
by Rep. Robert Torrecelli. The Torrecelli Bill, now federal law, seeks
to tighten the 29 year old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba by prohibiting
foreign subsidiaries of American companies from selling goods to the island.
Among Cambio Cubano's most prominent supporters is Bernardo Benes, a favorite
Cuban exile from the Carter administration, whose reappearance as a lobbying
force within the Clinton administration has uneased local Cuban exiles.
Organization Name:
CENTRO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS
(Human Rights Center)
Address: Miami,FL
Leader: Jesus Permuy
Prominent members: Garcia Palacio, Maria C.
Costa, Jose A.
Martinez, Alcides
Naranjo, Rafael
Yaniz, Rodolfo I.
Synopsis:
The Human Rights Center broadcasts human rights abuses in Cuba and maintains
ties with several international human rights organizations.
Organization Name:
COALICION CUBANO-AMERICANA
(Cuban American Coalition)
Address Coral Gables, Fl
Leader: Marisol Mirabet
Membership number: 348
Prominent members: Balseiro, Elvira
Blanco, Ramiro
Cruz, Jose R. (former president)
Aruca, Francisco
Garcia, Armando
Synopsis:
This organization promotes U.S. Cuba relations and opposes the present U.S.
embargo. Group members have travelled to Cuba on several occasions
and have also participated in local activities in conjunction with Haitian
activist groups. Former president Jose R. Cruz was recently ousted
from his post. The organization is viewed by the majority of the Cuban
exile community as a Castro-sponsored project.
Organization Name:
COALICION DEMOCRATICA CUBANA
Leader: Luis Zuniga
Synopsis:
Luis Zuniga heads the local chapter of Coalition Democratica Cubana.
The coalition is sponsored by the Cuban American National Foundation and
seeks the removal of Castro and Cuba's totalitarian form of government.
The coalition opposes any sort of dialogue that would permit Castro to remain
in power.
Organization Name:
COALITION OF AMERICAN FREIGHT FORWARDING
AGENCIES
Leader: Hermez Gonzalez
Prominent members: Echenique, Benita
Synopsis:
This newly formed association of freight forwarding agencies intends to protest
recent U.S. Treasury restrictions. The association resents the influence
which the Cuban American National Foundation has exerted over those restrictions.
The association seeks liberal trade between the U.S. and Cuba. The
Coalition is comprised of the following:
1. Vinales Express
2. Nuevo Miami esta en Cuba, Inc.
3. Cubatour
4. Monroe Express
Organization Name:
COORDINADORA SOCIAL DEMOCRATA
(Social Democratic Coordinator)
(CODEHU)
Address: Miami,FL
Leader: Ramon Cernuda
Prominent members: Martinez Venegas, Emilio
Subirat, Salvador
Santiago, Tony
Ovares, Enrique
De Mendoza, Fernando
Lesnick, Max
Carballo Diaz, Roberto
Alvarez, Oscar
Synopsis:
Possibly the strongest of all Cuban-based human rights umbrella organizations.
Headed in exile by controversial figure Ramon Cernuda (head of Cuban Museum),
this organization is comprised of the following groups:
1. Partido Pro-Derechos Humanos (Pro Human Rights Group)
2. Sendero Verde (Green Path)
3. Harmony Movement
4. Criterio Alternativo
5. Liberty and Faith
6. Asociacion Defensora de Derechos Politicos
7. Opening of the Island Project
8. Followers of Mella
9. Movimiento Cubano Democrata Cristiano
10. Asociacion Pro-Arte Libre
Organization Name:
COMITE DE ACCION POLITICA POR LA LIBERTAD DE
CUBA
(Cuban Action for Freedom Committee)
Leader: C.A.N.F. membership
Prominent members: "" ""
Synopsis:
Formerly known as Coalicion Nacional para una Cuba libre, this organization
funds various projects which are intended to influence political decisions
in Congress. With a strong fund raising campaign, this organization
has kept pressure on local and national politicians and has kept C.A.N.F.
ahead of all other anti-Castro exiles organizations.
Organization Name:
CUBAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Leader: Angel del Cerro
Prominent members: Miyares, Marcelino
Marquez, Maurilio
Hernandez, Andres
Antunez, Amaya
Permuy, Jesus
Sanchez, Rafael
Palacios, Armando
Muller, Alberto
Marth, Carmen
Ignacio Rasco, Jose
Synopsis:
An integral part of the Cuban Democratic Platform, the Cuban Christian Democratic
Party suffered a split in 1990 due to idealistic differences (faction 1 intends
to dialogue with the Cuban Government while faction 2 has decided against
such measures. As a result of the split, both factions have attempted
to seize control of the organization. Due to the inner turmoil created
by both factions, the International Christian Democratic Organization of
the Americas (ODCA) has refused to recognize either group until elections
can be properly held.
Acceptance by ODCA is a determining factor in promulgating the group's agenda
which includes exposure of Cuba's government human rights abuses. To
date, faction 1 is considered the strongest of both groups and is widely
accepted in international circles. Faction 2 has been displaced to
a minor role and caters to local activities.
FACTION 1
President: Jose Ignacio Rasco
1st V.P.: Marcelino Miyares
2nd V.P. Alberto Muller
Sec. General: Rafael A. Sanchez
1st Gen. Sec.: Reinol Gonzalez
2nd Gen. Sec.: Siro del Castillo
Secretary Armando Palacio
Raul Sorondo
Int. Relations: Jose de J. Plana
Sec. Luis Fernandez Rocha
Finance Sec. Carmen Merth
Sec. Francisco Miyares
Acting Sec. Marta Cepero de Cardenas
Sec/Comm. Tomas Fernandez-Travieso
Sec. July Hernandez
Sec. Angel Del Cerro
Sec. Tensy Munoz Galindo
Special Event Frank Diaz
FACTION 2
President: Jose Permuy
Francisco Lago
Jose Antonio Costa
Organization name:
CUBAN AMERICAN DEFENSE LEAGUE
Leader: Eddy Levy
Prominent members: Almaguer, Xiomara
Synopsis:
The Cuban American Defense League has been very critical of mainstream right
wing views of Cuban exiles in South Florida. Levy and Almaguer have
voiced their discontent with the policies of the Cuban American National
Foundation and have accused Jorge Mas Canosa, Foundation chairman, of promulgating
policies of a "government that nobody has elected".
Drawing on a critical report by America's Watch as well as recent exposure
from PBS, CBS, and The Miami Herald, the Cuban American Defense League denounced
its opposition to Jorge Mas Canosa's unmeasured power. The group has
also denounced Radio Mambi and wqba, both spanish radio stations, as Mas
Canosa's media tools. According to Levy, Mas Canosa utilizes the aforementioned
media sources in order to create an intolerable environment which represses
free expression of contrasting points of view.
Organization Name:
CUBAN AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS
(PECA)
Leader: Roberto Solis Avila
Address: Miami
Prominent members: Mirabet, Marison
Serret, Milton
Perez Cruz, Oscar
Synopsis:
This organization is composed of business executives who have arrived in
the U.S. within the last ten years. Group objectives are to better
relations between the U.S. and Cuba and to create political pressures which
will lead to the lifting of the U.S. imposed embargo on Cuba. The organization
had approximately 50 members to its credit and has been very active as of
late.
Organization Name:
CUBAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Leader: Carlos M. de Cespedes
Address: Miami, FL
Prominent members: De Cespedes, Mandy
De Cespedes, Francisco J.
Synopsis:
A Cuban human rights promoting group. De Cespedes is also involved
in local anti-Castro activities.
Organization Name:
CUBAN COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Leader: Ricardo Bofill Pages
Address: Miami, FL
Prominent members: Cazabon, Maria J.
Cossio Pinero, Rosita
Synopsis:
This organization is a local representation of Cuba's human rights committee
(headed by the Arcos Bergnes brothers). Ricardo Bofill reveals human
rights abuses occurring in Cuba to international human rights organizations
and thus creates a favorable anti-Castro environment.
Organization Name:
CUBAN FREEDOM YOUTH MOVEMENT
Leader: Eliazar Gonzalez
Synopsis:
Group leaders have appeared at public forums and have discussed Cuba's future
outlook.
Organization Name:
CUBAN MASONS
Address: Hialeah, FL
Leader: Joaquin Aranburu
Synopsis:
A large civic organization with extensive community ties. The organization
has supported many local anti-Castro demonstrations.
Organization Name:
CUBAN MUNICIPALITIES IN EXILE
Address: 4600 NW 7 St., Miami, FL
Leader: Miguel A. Tuleda
Prominent members:
Blanco, Santiago ... Fernando Padron,
Rolando
Estorino, Julio ... Canton, Ramon
Gonzalez, Arturo ..., Monteserin, Felicia
Hernandes, Nicomedes ...
Perdomo, Carlos M.
Crespi, Maria A. ... Valdes Cruz, Miguel A.
Torres, Donato ... Reyes,
Miguel
Encinosa, Pedro
Synopsis:
The Cuban Municipalities in Exile Organization forms part of the umbrella
organization Junta Patriotica Cubana. The group is comprised of 110
separate entities or Cuban municipalities. The group is actively involved
in local events and due to its organized hierarchy it can provide large
numbers of demonstrations at any given location.
Organization Name:
CUBAN MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Address: Miami, FL
Leaders: Board of directors
Prominent members:
Cernuda, Ramon ... Del Castillo, Siro
Duran, Alfredo ... Morales, Santiago
Prio, Maria Elena ... Saldise, Teresa
Ramon Lopez, Pedro ... Luis, Carlos
De Armendi, Fernando ... Alvarez, Marcelino
Synopsis:
Organization Name:
CUBAN MUSEUM RESCUE COMMITTEE
Address: Miami, FL
Leader: Margarita Ruiz
Prominent members: De Velasco, Ana Rosa
Lago, Vicente
Alvarez, Ana
Candela, Andres
Synopsis:
Organization Name:
CUBAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT FIU
Address: Florida International University
Main Campus
Leader: Lisandro Perez
Prominent members:
Sardinas, Zeida ...
Dominguez, Jose
Perez Stable, Marifeli ... Salas, Luis
Fernandez, Damian ... Rabkin, Rhoda
Cuellar, Roberto ... Maignot, Anthony
P.
Gunn, Gillian ... Diaz Briquets, Sergio
Perez Lopez, Jorge ... Sanguinetty, Jorge
Roca, Sergio ... Ritter, Archibald
Mesa Lago, Carmelo ... Castaneda, Rolando
Synopsis:
Recently, the U.S. State Department awarded a grant to Florida International
University (FIU) as funding for a study entitled "Cuba in Transition".
Lisandro Perez, Study Organizer and Director of The Cuban Research Institute
at FIU, has assembled a panel of individuals whose expertise in political
and economic sciences has been praised by an array of accredited organizations.
Among the responsibilities of the newly formed panel will be an indepth study
of recently implemented Cuban government strategies. The final results
of this study will help define future U.S. policy towards Cuba.
The presence of Marifeli Perez Stable (State University of New York), who
for years was an outspoken supporter of Fidel Castro's government, and the
possibility of a dialogue-seeking style of foreign policy has resulted in
controversy and antagonism against the existence of the study panel.
Organization Name:
CUBAN REUNIFICATION OPERATION
Leader: Bernardo Benes
Address: Miami, FL
Prominent members:
Reyes, Jose ... Dopico, Vicente
Osle, Padre ... E.Herrera, Maria Cristina
Pino, Octavio
Synopsis:
The Cuban Reunification Operation, headed by Miami banker Bernardo Benes,
intends to arrive at the peaceful solution with Cuban government authorities.
In the late 1970's Benes drew heavy criticism from the Cuban exile community
due to his efforts to accomplish a dialogue between Castro and his exiled
adversaries. To date, Benes is viewed as a "dialoguero" and he lacks
the support of the majority of Cuban exiles.
Organization Name:
CUBAN REVOLUTIONARY DEMOCRATIC DIRECTORY
Leaders: Janisette Rivero, Janet Oliva
Prominent members: Navarro, Calixto
Synopsis:
Group members have appeared at public forums and have debated Cuba's future
outlook.
Organization Name:
CUBAN ROOTS FOUNDATION
Leader: Lucia Rojas
Synopsis:
This organization is intended for Cuban exiles of African heritage.
The group intends to incorporate black Cubans into their community, patriotic,
cultural, and economic activities. Group leadership anticipates participation
in a post-Castro Cuba.
Organization Name:
DEMOCRATS FOR DEMOCRACY IN CUBA
Leader: Gustavo Marin
Prominent members: Reyes, Manolo
Synopsis:
The democratas for Democracy in Cuba is a 250 member, politically active
organization with extensive ties to the Clinton administration. The
group has lobbied legislators and bureaucrats to maintain and strengthen
the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba and to support Radio Marti and TV Marti.
Group branch offices are located in Washington, New York, and New Jersey.
Organization Name:
FREE ART ASSOCIATION
Leader: Omar Lopez Montenegro
Synopsis:
Group members have appeared at public forums and have debated Cuba's future
outlook.
Organization Name:
MOVIMIENTO IDEOLOGICO DE DISIDENTES CUBANOS
(Cuban Dissident Ideological Movement)
Address: Miami, FL
Leader: Nelson G. Batista
Prominent members: Conception, Marcos J.
Berenguer, Carlos
Synopsis:
Human rights activist organization. Leadership seeks the release of
political prisoners and a transition of government in Cuba.
Organization Name:
PLATAFORMA DEMOCRATICA CUBANA
(Cuban Democratic Platform)
Leader: Carlos Alberto Montaner
Address: Coral Gables
Prominent members: Rasco, Jose Ignacio
Rodriguez, Felicito
Synopsis:
The PDC is an umbrella organization composed of three moderate-view independent
human rights groups (Cuban Liberal Union, Christian Democratic Party, and
Social Democratic Coordinator)
The PDC opposes any violent solution to the present Cuban situation and advocates
a peaceful transition to a democratic-style type of government. By
assuming said position, the PDC has been "branded" as a liberal style organization
by other radical exile groups and has been the recipients of negative criticism
from hard-line exile radio stations.
The PDC has developed ties, and at times established dissident groups within
Cuba. The organization's objective is to create an environment which
will force the Cuban government to create a political opening for non conformist
Cuban citizens. PDC representatives also voice human rights abuses
to world renown human rights organizations such as America's Watch and the
United Nation's Human Rights Council.
Organization Name:
UNION LIBERAL CUBANA
(Cuban Liberal Union)
Leader : Felicito Rodriguez
Prominent members: Clavijo, Uva
Gonzalez Pando, Miguel
Suarez Rivas, Juan
Sardina, Enrique A.
Synopsis:
One of the integral groups that form the Cuban Democratic Platform.
This organization is made up of local and international intellectuals who
seek to engage in a political and social dialogue with the Cuban government.
MODERATE NON-LOCAL
Organization Name:
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Leader: Ken Blackwell
Synopsis
A powerful, international commission sponsored by the United Nations.
This organization advocates application of human rights throughout the world.
This organization has been successful in gaining the release of Cuban political
prisoners.
Organization Name:
AMERICA'S WATCH
Leader: Juan E. Mendez
Prominent members: Camejo, Mary Jane
Smith, Wayne
Synopsis:
America's Watch keeps close tabs of most human rights abuses throughout the
Americas. The organization, though critical of Fidel Castro's government,
has also criticized local Cuban exiles for creating an environment which
discriminates against moderate groups and individuals. Wayne Smith,
former head of the U.S. Interest Section in Havana, is a dialogue seeking
advocate. Smith will possibly be the link between future U.S.-Cuba
negotiations.
Organization Name:
CUBAN COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY
Leader: Lillian Pubillones Nolan
Prominent members:
Miyares, Marcelino ... Montiel Davis, Magda
Baloyra, Enrique ... Duran, Alfredo
Rodriguez, Sylvia ... Carballo, Roberto
Herrera, Maria Cristina ... Font, Mauricio
Perez Stable, Eliseo ... Perez Stable, Marifeli
Portes, Alejandro ... Vichot, Mari Teri
Synopsis:
The Cuban Committee for Democracy is a dialogue seeking, Washington-based
organization. The group professes a strong opposition to past U.S.
Government policy towards Cuba and seeks to replace the Cuban American National
Foundation as the leading Cuban exile organization.
Organization Name:
FREEDOM HOUSE
Leader: Frank Calzon
Location: Washington D.C.
Synopsis:
An active human rights organization which seeks the release of political
prisoners in Cuba and reports human rights abuses by the Castro government.
Organization Name:
FUNDACION LIBERAL JOSE MARTI
(Jose Marti Liberal Foundation)
Location: Santa Clara 4
28013 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: (91) 248-8663
Prominent members:
Alberto Montaner, Carlos ... Gonzalez Pando, Miguel
Sardina, Enrique E. ... Clavijo, Uva
Suarez Rivas, John ... Zarraluqui, Jose Antonio
Gonzalez, Amparo ... Bernal, Fernando
Cao, Juan Manuel ... Diaz, Rene
Fontanillas, Roberto ... Guedes, Tony
Montaner, Gina ... Palmer, Eduardo
Suarez Rivas, Juan ... Varona, Carlos
Vega, Fernando ... Perez Fabo, J.A.
Synopsis:
The Jose Marti Liberal Foundation (FJM) is an umbrella institution based
in Madrid, Spain. The institution's objective is to reach Cuban citizens
living in the island, and to provide the necessary intellectual tools which
will enable a smooth government transition.
FJM publishes a quarterly magazine titled "Proximo" which circulates in exile
communities throughout the U.S. and other international cities.
The FJM is an integral part of the Cuban Democratic Platform.
Organization Name:
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER
Leader: Antonio Tang
Synopsis:
The Human Rights Center collects information pertaining to human right abuses
in Cuba and disseminates that information to the rest of the world.
Tang's reports are played daily on local Spanish radio stations.
Organization Name:
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION
Leader: Eduardo Fernandez
Javier Caonabo
Antonio Hernandez
Anna Maria Cervonne
Synopsis:
This organization reports human rights abuses throughout the Americas.
The group also recognizes the Cuban Democratic Christian Organization as
its local representative.
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