PRESS RELEASE

July 2,2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Six years ago on July 13, 1994, 41 men, women and children were murdered by the Cuban government for attempting to leave Cuba aboard the tugboat “13 de Marzo”.  In an effort to bring attention to this atrocity that went unreported by the US media, we will be protesting  the sinking of the “13 de Marzo” tugboat because justice has yet to be served.

When the tugboat reached seven miles off the shores of Cuba, it was violently attacked by Cuban State boats. Even as a mother’s baby was knocked out of her hands and thrown to the ocean by high-pressure water cannons, the attack continued. This barbaric attack with water cannons and the act of repeatedly ramming against the boat eventually sank the “13 de Marzo”.

Even though the savage aspect of this event was acknowledged by many human rights organizations as well as Pope John Paul II, the Clinton administration actively sought a migration agreement with the Castro regime.  This migration agreement contradicts the U.S. tradition of freedom and justice.

We therefore seek the following :

1.      The recovery of the 41 victims as well as the recovery of the “13 de Marzo” tugboat.

2.      The suspension of the May 1995 Migration Accord with Cuba by the Clinton administration.

3.      That justice is served for this and all other atrocities committed by the Castro regime.

We must not allow the memory of those who died as a result of the sinking of the “13 de Marzo” to be forgotten.   For this reason on Thursday July 13, 2000 a protest will be held in front of the Cuban Interest Section located at 2630 16th St., NW Washington, DC. The protest will be held in remembrance of this heinous crime committed by Castro’s regime. The protest will commence at 5:00 PM and continue until 8:00 PM. 

For further information please direction your questions with a fax to 413-643-4667 or an email to cuba@nocastro.com .

NoCastro.com

"13 OF MARCH" TUGBOAT MASSACRE VICTIMS
JULY THE 13TH, 1994 - HABANA - CUBA
(Killed by the Castro regime)

• Amado González Raíces ---------- 50

• Angel René Abreu Ruiz -----------3

• Guillermo Cruz Martínez ----------- 46

• Caridad Leyva Tacoronte -------- 4

• Eduardo Suárez Esquivel ---------- 39

• Eliécer Suárez Plascencia ------- 11

• Ernesto Alfonso Loureiro ----------- 26

• Fidencio Ramel Prieto -------------- 51

• Giselle Borges Alvarez ------------ 4

• Helen Martínez Enríquez ------- 1/2

• Joel García Suárez ----------------- 20

• Jorge A. Lebrígio Flores ------------ 28

• Jorge A. Balmaseda Castillo -------- 24

• José Carlos Nicle Ayala ----------- 3

• Juan M. Gutiérrez García ---------11

• Julia Caridad Ruiz Blanco ----------- 35

• Lázaro E. Borges Briel ------------- 34

• Leonardo Notario Góngora --------- 28

• Lissette M. Alvarez Gutiérrez ------ 24

• Manuel Sánchez Gallot ------------ 58

• Marta Carrasco Tamayo ---------- 44

• Marta C. Tacoronte Vega --------- 35

• Magalys Méndez Tacoronte ----- 17

• Miralis Fernández Rodríguez -------- 27

• Odalis Muñoz García ---------------21

• Midalys Sanabria Cabrera --------- 23

• Omar Rodríguez Suárez ----------- 33

• Pilar Almanza Romero ------------- 31

• Reynaldo Marrero ----------------- 45

• Rigoberto Feul González ----------- 30

• Rosa María Alcaldes Puig ---------- 47

• Cindy Rodríguez Fernández ------  2

• Yaltamira Anaya Carrasco -------- 22

• Yasser Perodín Almanza -------- 11

• Yousel Pérez Tacoronte --------- 11

• Yuliana Enríque Carranza --------- 23

• Estrella Suárez Esquivel ---------- 49

• Yolindys Rodríguez Rivero ------- 2

• Myladys Fernan Rivero ----------- 27

• Mario Gutiérrez ------------------ 35

• Augusto G. Martínez ------------- 45