National security ‘a Garcia issue’

Raul Garcia. (FP)

By Gercine Carter | Tue, August 28, 2012 - 12:06 AM

NATIONAL SECURITY is Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s primary consideration as he weighs his options for housing Cuban national Raul Garcia.

Fifty-seven-year-old Garcia was convicted in 1994 of a number of cocaine-related charges, including importation of the illegal drug into Barbados, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

He completed that sentence two years ago but remains at HMP Dodds under prison conditions, awaiting a decision on his future. He has gone on hunger strike and there have been several calls for his release from prison.

“I intend no injustice to Mr Garcia, but I just have to make sure that the national security of Barbados is properly protected,” the Prime Minister said yesterday when questioned about the status of the Cuban.

Stuart told the media at Ilaro Court: “I do not think that Mr Garcia should be held at Dodds prison indefinitely.” .

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Posted by Summer Rheigs 8 months, 3 weeks ago: “I do not think that Mr. Garcia should be held at Dodds prison indefinitely.” Well, put him up at Illaro Court; if that cannot happen because the next general election is around the corner then put him up at David Commissiong or JUST GET HIM A ONE WAY TICKET OUT OF BARBADOS. Problem solve!!!!!!

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Posted by J. Payne 8 months, 3 weeks ago: I wouldn't rush either. I would want to give NO impression that others can do the same and have it be a new path to citizenship in Barbados. The rest will now think twice about bring that drug crap to Barbados.

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Posted by RANDY BRIDGEMAN 8 months, 3 weeks ago: Drug dealers are the lowest of the low, in my view. Their illicit dealings cause suffering and death of untold proportions. It wrecks families, communities which in turn have a negative impact on a nation's life in many ways. Mr. Garcia should be thankful that he didn't commit his crime in one of those countries where he would've been strung up on a pole and shot after a sham trial or none at all.

Mr. Garcia is a convicted criminal and should stay in prison until the Barbados government locates a country which will accept him. Spain, his ancestral homeland may be willing to accept one of its wayward sons. Maybe one of the Latin American republics will take him.

To remove Mr. Garcia from prison and house him at taxpayers' expense is simply wrong; waste of precious funds. I'm really surprised that one of our resident radicals haven't volunteered to put their money where their mouths are by putting him up when he's released from prison.

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Posted by dirty okra 8 months, 3 weeks ago: I'm not siding with drug dealers. BUT! Just remember if there was no demand there would be no need for a supply.

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Posted by Kenneth King 8 months, 3 weeks ago: I love the one way ticket because his last place of abode were the USA and that is where that trip will be, when that plane lands that is then their problem because he must approach customs before entry but that would have been to late and the airline can refused him. Also seeing that he is not a Barbadian native and still holds an American passport they must accept him, while at it can you send his radical lawyer with him.