Family of American Held in Cuba Pleads for his Freedom
The family of a U.S. contractor jailed in Cuba urged President Barack Obama on Wednesday to bring him home, saying they feared for his life as he began a sixth year in prison.
The plea from the wife of Alan Gross came on the fifth anniversary of his December 3, 2009 arrest in Havana, and as the White House suggested his release would "remove an impediment" to improving relations between the two long-time rival nations.
Gross, 65, was convicted in 2011 of "acts against the independence or territorial integrity of the state" for allegedly distributing communications equipment while working for the aid agency USAID.
"Enough is enough. My husband has paid a terrible price for serving his country and community," said Judy Gross, in a statement released to mark the poignant anniversary.
"Alan is resolved that he will not endure another year imprisoned in Cuba, and I am afraid that we are at the end," she said.
Gross revealed that her husband had said farewell to his family in July and had refused to see them since.
"After five years of literally wasting away, Alan is done. It is time for President Obama to bring Alan back to the United States now; otherwise it will be too late," she wrote.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration remained "focused on securing Alan’s freedom from a Cuban prison, and returning him safely to his wife and children, where he belongs."
The statement said the United States remained "deeply concerned" over Gross's health and reiterated calls he be set free.
"The Cuban Government’s release of Alan on humanitarian grounds would remove an impediment to more constructive relations between the United States and Cuba," Earnest said in the statement.
Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said earlier his release remained a "top priority" for the United States.
Washington has long called on Havana to release Gross, and voiced growing concern about his health, amid reports he has lost about 100 pounds (45 kilos).
Harf stressed the United States had used every "diplomatic channel to press for his release publicly and privately, and we will continue to do so."
Havana has suggested it could release Gross if Washington were to free the remaining "Cuban Five" intelligence agents, who were convicted in a 1998 U.S. spy case -- a prospect Washington has roundly rejected.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also urged for Gross's release, in a strongly worded statement calling Gross a "hostage" to the "repressive" Castro regime.
"I urge the Obama Administration to step up its efforts against the Castro regime with the goal of securing Alan Gross’ unconditional release," Rubio said.
The United States and Cuba have not had full diplomatic relations since 1961. In 1962, Washington imposed an economic embargo on the island, the only Communist-run country in the Americas.
Source: Agence France Presse
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