No Peace at the Border for Pastors: Humanitarian Goods for Cuba Seized in Texas
by C. L. Cook
At approximately 9:30 am local time today, the 19th annual Caravan to Cuba convoy attempted to cross from the United States into Mexico at McAllen, Texas. At this hour, U.S. border authorities are holding up the 'Friendshipment" while agents search for and confiscate all donated computers.

There is so far no indication U.S. authorities will prevent other essential items included on America's broad embargoed materials list passing through the checkpoint, or harass further American and international volunteers en route via Mexico to the Caribbean island nation.

 

Victoria peace, environment, and social justice activist, Janine Bandcroft is a member of the five bus Canadian contingent carrying goods to Cuba. She phoned from the McAllen, Texas crossing to Mexico to put out the word the convoy's supplies are being taken, saying supporters can contact the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to voice concern at these actions at 1-800-540-6322.

Bandcroft suggested the harassment may be connected to George W. Bush's impending departure from office, saying;

"Maybe George needs to sell our computers for the money?"  

She adds, the local Victoria Goods for Cuba campaign has been notified of the removal of 30 computers by border officials, and says they will be making official complaints through the offices of Victoria Member of Parliament, Denise Savoie.

Trade sanctions against Cuba have been in place since the presidency of John F. Kennedy, more than forty-seven years ago, and American citizens are forbidden to travel to the island without express permission of the government. Ex-patriot Cubans are granted some small allowances to visit relatives in times of family emergency, and can remit strictly limited financial aid to them.

This year's caravan is dedicated to the so-called 'Cuba Five,' a group of Cuban government agents sent into America to infiltrate counter-revolutionary forces, based primarily in Florida, planning terrorist attacks against the country. The five were arrested after tipping off the Federal Bureau of Investigation to terrorist plots they discovered. Last month marked the seventh anniversary of the Five's incarceration.