The United States condemns the recent sentencing to prison of Cuban citizens Vladimir Morera Bacallao and Jorge Ramirez Calderon for peaceful protest. Mr. Morera Bacallo was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for hanging a sign outside his home; Mr. Ramirez Calderon was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for joining a peaceful protest asking for improved sanitary conditions and water in his community.

Respect for human rights is a cornerstone of our foreign policy, and we call on the Cuban Government to respect its citizens’ rights to free expression and peaceful protest.