The Cuban Exile Movement
Dissidents or Mercenaries?
Hernando Calvo and Katlijn Declercq
An extraordinary exposé of the Cuban American National Foundation and anti-Castro terrorist groups
The Cuban Exile Movement: Dissidents or Mercenaries? is the first major exposé of the extremist anti-Castro exile groups in the United States and backgrounds the political and financial power of the Miami Cuba lobby demonstrated in the battle over the child refugee, Elián González.
Based on exceptionally thorough research, this book includes shockingly frank interviews with leaders of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) and other key representatives of extremist exile groups showing how human rights issues have been manipulated and exposes these groups' links to the CIA and their involvement in terrorist activities.
Those interviewed include Ninoska Pérez (CANF); "Pepe" Hernández (CANF); José Basulto ("Brothers to the Rescue"); Monsignor Agustín Roman; Andrés Nazario (Alpha 66), Ricardo Bofill and Huber Matos. The authors also interview other authorities on US-Cuba relations such as Wayne Smith (former head of US interests section, Havana) and Francisco Aruca (Miami businessman and radio commentator).
Hernando Calvo is a Colombian journalist who sought political asylum in France. His other books include Don Pablo Escobar, Peru: Los senderos posibles, Salsa, Havana Heat, Bronx Beat and Bacardi: The Hidden War.
Katlijn Declercq, a Belgian journalist, was formerly head of Human Rights in the international secretariat of Pax Christi and is coordinator of the campaign against sexual exploitation of children. She was co-author with Calvo of Peru: Los senderos posibles.
The importance of this book is its proof by way of concrete and indisputable example that the cause of democracy has been manipulated by the imperialist powers.
—Samir Amin
In light of the heightened rhetoric generated by the recent Elián González affair, this interesting volume explores the activities and attitudes of Cuban dissidents in the United States…. The interviews are fascinating reading and support [the authors’] view that anti-Castro Cuban exiles have at times crossed the line from expressing dissident opinion to terrorist activity. The authors also use the interviews to demonstrate their contention that the issue of human rights is a straw man designed to aid the destabilization of the Cuban government… The Cuban Exile Movement is recommended to scholar and layman alike as an alternative view of exile activity in the United States.
—MultiCultural Review
This book clearly exposes the idea that Cuban oppositionists are simply political dissidents. It also reveals how Washington and Europe have used the issue of human rights to destabilize the Cuban government.
—James Petras
This book is exceptionally well-documented; its objectivity and honesty are admirable; and, above all, its ethical stance in face of a major international crime being committed in the world today.
—Ernesto Cardenal, priest and former Nicaraguan foreign minister
This is an excellent book in accessible language, informative and clear for readers not too familiar with the subject.
—Frei Betto, author of Fidel and Religion
