Cuban man who sewed mouth shut collapses

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Posted on Thursday, 09.23.10
Cuban man who sewed mouth shut collapses
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press Writer

GUANABACOA, Cuba -- A Cuban man who sewed his mouth shut after launching a hunger strike to protest confiscation of electronic devices by customs officials has collapsed and been sent to a hospital, his son said Thursday.

Vladimir Alejo Miranda fainted on Wednesday at his home in Guanabacoa, just outside Havana, Leordan Alejo told The Associated Press. He said his father began the strike two months ago, sewed his mouth shut on Sept. 7 and stopped drinking water and tea earlier this week. Vladimir Alejo's wife also sewed her mouth shut in solidarity, according to the son.

The elder Alejo was being treated at the nearby Miguel Enriquez hospital, which journalists are not allowed to enter. Leordan Alejo, 27, said had no word on his father's condition.

Alejo's relatives have been contacting foreign media based in Havana for weeks, accusing some journalists of being part of Cuban state security for not covering the developments.

The relatives first said the strike was over an airport customs seizure of a DVD player, a camera and flash memory stick sent by a friend from the United States. Since then, they have said the protest has expanded to include a call for the release of political prisoners and other issues.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/23/1838694/cuban-man-who-sewed-mouth-shut.html

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http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_1QfuM0R-rVE/TFhLwlP20MI/AAAAAAAAXvU/DAbO0xX2nPw/s400/Vladimir+Alejo+Miranda.jpg

Vladimir Alejo Miranda

[Jefferson23]

1. Wow! Hope you both keep your health..very brave imo. n/t

[L.Torsalo]

2. The Miami Scare-ald...

I can understand resisting oppression. But giving ones life for consumer goods? I don't see this as a sensible response to the confiscation. Methinks Senor Miranda has other issues with the State. Hope he survives and comes to his better senses...

[naaman fletcher]

6. It's not about consumer goods

It's about basic freedoms.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Its perfectly clear

what cannot be imported in Cuba. http://www.webhavana.com/en/import_and_export_prohibited_items

Maybe he's illiterate. :shrug:

[L.Torsalo]

4. I read the list of prohibited items...

electronic devices are definitely on the list. He should have researched the issue before going and threatening his health and his family's well-being. Shame, really.

[dipsydoodle]

5. I have a feeling that the reason for some of the prohibitions may not be quite obvious

They may have issues there providing sufficient overall power for the island.

[naaman fletcher]

7. It was perfectly clear

That blacks were not allowed to sit at the front of the bus, too. Maybe this guy was making a point about living in an un-free country.

[dipsydoodle]

9. That is a wholly inappropriate analogy.

.

[MellowDem]

8. I know, right?

Why would anyone want to protest anything in Cuba? :rofl:

[robcon]

10. Importing electronic items is forbidden in Cuba.

So is protesting any act of their totalitarian government.