letter of december to the President Obama

Mister President Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Washington DC 20500

Mr President,

The friends of the five Cubans Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, Ramón Labañino, and René González, are extremely pleased to know that Mitt Romney will not be president of the United States for the next four years. We had forebodings that this candidate augured no good concerning future relations with Cuba.

For all that, Mr President Obama, we are worried about the manner in which you are going to act concerning this large Caribbean island. We were so filled with hope during the 2008 elections; we are so wary this time. The embargo against Cuba has been maintained in spite of the reprobation of almost all the countries in the world, the prison at Guantanamo has still not been closed, the funds being used to sabotage the Cuban Revolution are increasing constantly, and the Cuban Five have still not been freed.

On 13th November 2012, the United States, Israel and Palau, were the only three countries to vote for the continuation of the destructive blockade against Cuba. Will you finally listen to the almost unanimous voice of the international community in opposition to the embargo? Yet, with hurricane Sandy, you were able to assess at what point the elements, when they’re unleashed, can bring on tragedies, pain and sorrow, and how derisory and stupid it is to add more to the sufferance already undergone!

In a few days, you will be celebrating Christmas. It is a tradition in your country to grant a pardon to a few prisoners on this occasion. What a wonderful beginning of your new presidential functions it would be to make such a gesture towards the Cuban Five. A great gesture that would see in return the liberation, on the part of the Cuban government, of your fellow citizen Alan Gross, and even more, this would be the start of new relations between your two countries. Mr President Obama, you could begin your presidential mandate in the manner of a lovely Christmas tale by permitting Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, Ramón Labañino, René González and Alan Gross to be with their loved ones for the New Year’s celebrations. This would be marvelous and promising for the future.

Don’t let this chance go past; we are all hoping for a joyful outcome for the Cuban Five, and for Alan Gross – he is in your hands.

Please receive, Mister President, the expression of my most sincere humanitarian sentiments.
Jacqueline Roussie

Translated by William Peterson

Copies sent to: Mrs. Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Kathryn Ruemmler, Janet Napolitano, to Mr. Harry Reid, Eric Holder, John F. Kerry, Pete Rouse, Donald, Rick Scott, and Charles Rivkin, United States ambassador in France.