Cuban freed after being sentenced over YouTube video

Cuban freed after being sentenced over YouTube video
A Cuban man has been freed after being sentenced to two years in prison for posting a YouTube video protesting a food shortage in the country. Juan Carlos Gonzalez Marcos was sentenced last month after the video had receiver 450,000 views since it was posted in April. Instead, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital for three weeks of treatment for alcoholism.

"It's a corrective decision very unusual for a government known for its rigidity," said Elizardo Sanchez, spokesman for the independent Cuban Commission on Human Rights. He said it was likely the result of "international public opinion." Gonzalez was originally seen drunk in a video where he pushed away a person being interviewed about reggaeton.



"What we need here is a little bit of jama," he shouted (jama being slang for food). "We need food, we're hungry here. Listen to what Panfilo tells you from Cuba: food." He then published a video on YouTube, sober, where he recanted the message. On August 4 he was detained by police and sentenced the following week for two years for "dangerousness."

Written by: James Delahunty @ 18 Sep 2009 4:13
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  • 6 comments
  • arcanix

    On August 4 he was detained by police and sentenced the following week for two years for "dangerousness." Not truthspeakingness?

    18.9.2009 04:49 #1

  • emugamer

    Originally posted by arcanix: On August 4 he was detained by police and sentenced the following week for two years for "dangerousness." Not truthspeakingness?or OMGImhungryness

    18.9.2009 08:01 #2

  • mike.m

    What ever happened to freedom of speech? What a corrupt government.

    18.9.2009 15:25 #3

  • petersov

    Originally posted by mike.m: What ever happened to freedom of speech? What a corrupt government.Cuba is da... a commustic goverment they don't have free speach!

    18.9.2009 16:38 #4

  • dawnman

    So many bad things here that, i don't even know where to start :(

    20.9.2009 14:58 #5

  • budman99

    We all recognize a country that does not allow rights and freedoms to its citizens, but I think we are not recognizing that we, the citizens of the US, are headed in the exact same direction.

    21.9.2009 17:57 #6

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