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Cuba/Spain: Information on an organization called Cuba Independiente Democratia (CID) in the Canary Islands, 1990 to present

The following information was provided by the coordinator of Cuba Independent and Democratic (CID) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in a 20 October 1997 telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Group membership fluctuates in the Canary Islands, but the group presently has roughly 1,200 active members. He added that the Canary Islands group was founded between eight to ten years ago, and is officially known as the Movimiento en Canaria por la Libertad y la Democracia en Cuba, which can be translated to the Canary Movement for Liberty and Democracy in Cuba. The group represents the Miami-based CID in the Canary Islands. The group provides support and assistance to Cuban refugees all over Spain, and promotes democracy in Cuba by pressuring foreign diplomats and seeking support from other entities. The group also promotes their cause by using the media and organizing demonstrations.

In reference to the Miami-based CID, several sources describe the group as a militant anti-Castro organization with the intent of overthrowing  the Castro regime (AP 16 Jan. 1992; Extremist Groups 1996, 171; The Palm Beach Post 26 Aug. 1994; The Orlando Sentinel 28 Aug. 1994). In terms of membership Extremist Groups reports that the organization is mostly composed of Cuban exiles in south Florida (1996, 171), while the 16 January 1992 Associated Press (AP) report states that the group has 25,000 sympathizers and 300 "cells" inside Cuba.

The Orlando Sentinel report states that the CID, in conjunction with its operatives and agents inside Cuba, was planning a revolutionary campaign to overthrow Castro in December 1994 (28 Aug. 1994).

A 24 July 1990 AP report and a 1 March 1996 BBC report state that CID broadcasts radio programs into Cuba. The BBC report adds that the group's "Voz del CID" station has broadcasted since October 1981 (1 Mar. 1996).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

The Associated Press (AP). 16 January 1992. AM Cycle. Richard Cole. "Cuban Exiles' Capture Gives Strength to Paramilitary Groups." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 July 1990. AM Cycle. George Gedda. Cuba Blames U.S. Radio Stations for Embassy Incidents." (NEXIS)

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 1 March 1996. "Radio Marti and TV Marti are US-Government funded broadcasts aimed at Cuba." (NEXIS)

Extremist Groups: An International Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups, and Issue-Oriented Militant Movements. 1996. Edited by John Murray and Richard H. Ward. Chicago: Office of International Criminal Justice.

Movimiento en Canaria por la Libertad y la Democracia en Cuba, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 20 October 1997. Telephone interview with the coordinator.

The Palm Beach Post. 26 August 1994. Final Edition. Larry Lipman. "No Negotiating with Castro, Clinton Says." (NEXIS)

The Orlando Sentinel. 28 August 1994. "Possible U.S.-Cuba Talks Bring Hope."  (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report. 1994-1997.

Amnesty International. April 1996. Government Crackdown on Dissidents.

_____. December 1992. Cuba: Silencing the Voices of Dissent.

     The Europa World Year Book 1997. 1997.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-1997.

INS Resource Center. June 1995. Information Packet Series: Human Rights in Cuba.

     Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1990-1997.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1996-1997.

News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1990-1997.

Revolutionary Movements of the World: An International Guide. 1991.

One oral source did not provide information on the above-mentioned subject.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Global News Bank, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).