The Florida Times-Union May 31, 2007
CUBA: Thanks for the help
Cuba is harboring dozens of U.S. fugitives, much to the chagrin of some in Congress.
"To have these people walking freely in Havana ... is disgraceful," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told the International Herald Tribune.
King, to borrow a cliche, should count his blessings. At least they aren't clogging up prisons here.
If Fidel Castro wants to open the streets of Havana to the dregs of American society, let him. Maybe he could take a few others, too.
He could start with nearly 1,000 Mariel boatlift refugees behind bars here, according to GlobalSecurity.org. Their crimes range from attempted murder to trafficking in cocaine to petty theft.
Maybe Castro could let them return. They're Cuban citizens, and the United States doesn't want them.
Let him have all of the criminals that he wants.
The newspaper indicates that most of the fugitives in Cuba are aging '70s radicals who plotted against the U.S. government, in addition to committing crimes.
Castro is clinging to delusions of grandeur and is in poor health. When he dies, the new government may extradite them back here - at least the ones who haven't died of old age.
Until then, let Cuba have them. Our prisons are full.
© Copyright 2007, The Florida Times-Union
