MIAMI, FLORIDA (January 21, 2012) – On November 14, 2011, Wilman Villar Mendoza was arrested by Cuban security forces for participating in a peaceful demonstration calling for greater political freedom and respect for human rights for the people of Cuba. He was sentenced to four-years in prison at a hearing that lasted less than one hour and during which Villar Mendoza was not given the opportunity to speak in his defense nor was he represented by counsel.

That same day the 31 year old began a hunger strike to protest his unjust trial and imprisonment. Villar Mendoza’s health began to deteriorate until his unfortunate death on Thursday evening while still in custody.

The death of Villar Mendoza is a tragic reminder of the true nature of the Castro Regime. CABA will continue its efforts to expose the Regime’s so-called judicial system and again expresses its opposition to the ABA’s planned trip to Cuba this spring. The world’s largest professional lawyers association should not bolster Cuba’s shameful justice system.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Villar Mendoza family.

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Founded in Miami in 1974, CABA is a voluntary bar association established to promote equality of its members; serve the public interest by increasing awareness to the study of jurisprudence; foster respect for the law; preserve high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among its peers; provide equal access to and adequate representation of minorities before the courts; facilitate the administration of justice; build close relationships among its members; support Miami-Dade’s indigent community and increasing diversity in the judiciary and legal community. For more information, please contact Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz at (305) 373-9426.