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.
End of Page
Copyright
1998-2014
Cuban Information Archives. All Rights Reserved.
