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Terrorismo
Posada trial illustrates double face of US war on terrorism.
CUBA, January 19th, 2011.- The prosecutor who processed the case against the Cuban Five in Miami, Caroline Heck Miller, declined to file criminal charges against Luis Posada Carriles despite a request from the Department of Homeland Security back in 2005, admitted in court the DHS Attorney Gina Garrett-Jackson.
Garrett-Jackson, the government official who led Posada's asylum hearing in 2005 said that she asked Caroline Heck Miller to file criminal charges against Posada before proceeding with his asylum application: "I asked Heck-Miller to consider criminal prosecution against Posada. However, she wasn’t interested, so I stopped asking her."
Garrett-Jackson also said she tried to set up a conference call to discuss criminal charges against Posada but could not recall if it ever took place. She acknowledged writing an e-mail in January 2006 that said the FBI wanted notice if Posada was ever freed from prison while the immigration proceedings against him continued because, "I think they intend to take him into custody."
A 2006 statement from the US Department of Justice states: "Luis Posada-Carriles is an admitted mastermind of terrorist plots and attacks ... a flight risk … [and] a danger to the community."
But the Justice Department's view does not seem to be shared by other branches of the US government. The incriminating secrets that Posada likely possesses, tense relations between the US, Cuba and Venezuela and domestic political concerns—the anti-Cuban population in Miami holds national electoral clout far beyond its numbers – mean that extradition or terrorism charges seem unlikely.
Posada was ultimately charged, but only for making false statements during the immigration hearings.
"This case illustrates the double face of the US war on terrorism," Pertierra, who represents Venezuelan interests, said as court adjourned for lunch. "You can't pick and choose which terrorists you prosecute and which ones you protect. You can't have first class victims and second class victims; all victims must be mourned equally." (Cubamnirex-RHC)