Armando Alonso left his job as an officer in the Cuban merchant fleet to join the Cuban Committee For Human Rights (CCFHR) in the late 80's. He worked with the Cuban committee - a peaceful human rights organization - until he came to the United States in 1991. He continued his collaboration with the CCFHR from Miami, where he lived with his wife and daughter.
In April 1993 Armando Alonso returned to Cuba illegally to collect on-site reports of human rights violations, and was arrested by the Cuban secret police. After months of isolation in Villa Marista - the headquarters of the secret police in Havana - Alonso was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the crimes of "enemy propaganda" and "illegal entry". He is currently serving his sentence in Kilo 8 Prison, in Camaguey Province, enduring terrible living conditions.
Armando Alonso is considered the "Cuban Harry Wu," in reference to the Chinese Dissident who was arrested in China in 1995 in a similar incident. Harry Wu was released by the Chinese authorities after widespread international protest. Armando Alonso, however, is still in prison. He is 38 years old. His wife and daughter still live in Miami.
This information provided by the Cuban Committee for Human Rights
