Anti-Castro Militant Leaves U.S. Jail

Luis Posada Carriles Released From Federal Custody, But Faces Immigration Fraud Trial

(AP)  Anti-Castro militant Luis Posada Carriles, an aging ex-CIA operative suspected in a decades-old Cuban airliner bombing, was released from U.S. custody Thursday and flew to Miami as he awaits trial on immigration fraud charges.

Posada was released from a New Mexico jail after posting bond and will stay at his wife's house in Miami, said his lawyer, Felipe D.J. Millan. He was required to post a $250,000 bond and his wife, daughter and son were required to post a $100,000 bond to secure his release.

U.S. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said Posada was required to report to pretrial services immediately upon his arrival in Miami. There, he will receive an electronic monitoring device.

Posada was accompanied by U.S. Marshals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

The 79-year-old former CIA operative is awaiting a May 11 trial on allegations that he lied to immigration authorities while trying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

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CBS News producer Portia Siegelbaum reports that Posada's release is certain to provoke a storm of protests in Cuba and Venezuela.

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Earlier this week, an appeals court in New Orleans rejected the federal government's bid to keep Posada jailed until his trial. The release order puts him under 24-hour house arrest and an electronic monitoring device.

Posada is wanted in his native Cuba and in Venezuela, where he is accused of plotting the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner that killed 73 people.

A judge ruled that he couldn't be deported to those countries because he might be tortured, and no other country has agreed to take him.

Attorneys for Venezuela have argued that under international law, if the United States decides not to return Posada to Venezuela, it should try him on the bombing charges.

Under the conditions of his release, Posada must try to find a country willing to take him, ICE officials said.

Posada has been jailed since March 2005, when he was caught in Miami and sent to El Paso to face immigration charges.

Posada's return was hailed by some in Miami who view him as a freedom fighter.

"He's quite old and in bad health. We believe he should be with his family and will not be a risk," said Angel De Fana, who heads a Miami-based group that supports political prisoners in Cuba and wrote a letter in favor of Posada's release.

Cuban media has been filled in recent days with condemnations of Posada's possible release, saying President Bush would be ultimately responsible if the anti-Castro fighter went free. In a written message last week, the Castro government accused the Bush administration of deciding "the liberation of the monster beforehand."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a Castro ally, on Thursday called Posada's release proof of U.S. hypocrisy in its war on terror.

"They say they fight against terrorism, (but) there it is! Their mask keeps falling off," Chavez said. "The U.S. empire will end up being a paper tiger, and we will be tigers of steel!"

[tucson23]

I've long been saying our government should give a big F#@K OFF to the Miami Cuban community and normalize relations with Cuba.

If we should have learned anything about the breakup of the Soviet Union, it's that the promise of economic prosperity means doom for communist dictatorships. If we trade with Cuba, open some resorts, let Americans bring their ideas to the Cuban people, communism won't last long there.

This is exactly what the American Cuban community wants--and end to Castro's rule. Yet they stubbornly oppose the only way to make it happen: Open trade and cultural discourse with the Cuban people. Sanctions since 1959 have FAILED--it's time to try something that will work.

Let's keep ignorant Miami Cubans from keeping America from doing what's right, and what will be effective, in dealing with Cuba. If Bush can ignore 70% of Americans on Iraq, he can surely ignore a couple of million vengeful ex-Cuban morons.

[nvme3]

I grew up when the corksuccking terrorist were running free in miami they did bombing on this soil for those who were pro castro or soft on castro. these SOB's are as dangerous as bin laden. this one and orlando bosch another terrorist scumbags are considered freedom fighters after downing jetliners. one contained a cuban sports team.(basically civilians) and the make them hero's here. I gag everytime i hear reports about the cuban communities activities they are no better than the rest of the immigrant groups. the cubans in general are good people as are all immigrants but when they dictate foreign policy and immigration policy it sets a dangerous precedent. realize the face you see in this story is a face of terrorist who has no compunction about blowing up a plane full of human beings to suit his political ideology.

[mh4cbs1]

CBS (Corporate Broadcasting System) knows no limits to hypocrisy and propoganda.

They call this guy a "militant" instead of a terrorist. How nice of them. Meanwhile they hyped the needless War ON Iraq to help Bush with his Invasion sales pitch, and called it a part of the so-called endless War on Terror.

In Iraq, as hundreds die each week, the "Iraq Oil Law" has passed (quietly with little corporate media acknowledgement). This gives our multinational corporations control over Iraq Oil, which is the cheapest Oil in the world to extract ($1/barrel). $21 TRILLION in Oil. And you thought we invaded for fake WMDs? Or democracy?

Was it a coincidence that after our US-friendly brutal dictator Saddam Hussein, nationalized their oil that he was suckered into Kuwait in the April Gilisepe meeting, so we could pulverize him with the hopes of his internal overthrow? The NeoCon elite and their corporate cronies have been drooling over Iraqi Oil - and now they will have it (or at least they will after the Iraqis finish killing each other off with our help, and we can get a new friendly dictator that won't start acting independently of our "interests")

JAIL Cheney and Bush - murderous thugs who LIED their way into Iraq. The cause of such massive death destruction and human suffering.

[feelfree1]

I wonder if the Bush regime will try to use this guy to blow up more civilian airliners?

Yup. Luis Posada Carriles is just another flavor of Bush League terrorist; the CIA managed plane-bomber kind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_Flight_455

"Evidence implicated several CIA-linked anti-Castro Cuban exiles and members of the Venezuelan secret police DISIP. Political complications quickly arose when Cuba accused the US government of being an accomplice to the attack. CIA documents released in 2005 indicate that the agency had prior knowledge that the bombing was going to take place. Posada denies involvement but provides many details of the incident in his book "Caminos del Guerrero" (Way of the Warrior)".

So, the CIA knew about the attack before it took place - isn't that a crime in itself?

Hey lars008, if the Bush administration is so tough on terrorism, then why aren't they concerned about capturing Bin Laden?

Why is it that they still haven't indicted him for the 9/11 attacks?

I mean, even that moron Clinton indicted Bin Laden for terrorism - and yet, that even bigger moron GW Bush won't indict him.

The truth is that GW Bush either doesn't want Bin Laden caught, so that he can continue suppressing the freedoms of honest Americans, or that his war on terrorism is just a pile of BS.

I guess the fact that the Bush Administration doesn't want to pursue terrorism charges against Posada proves that he isn't interested in defeating terrorism - he just wants to use it to terrorize the American people into supporting his corrupt administration.

Either that or he really is trying to emulate his dad in letting terrorists go.

[gkc99]

The Bushit administration sure believes in that war on terrorists--unless they happen to be terrorist hired by the US government. Kinda makes all their objections to assassination and bombings rather suspect. Guess it just depends on who is getting murdered and bombed. As long as it's folk who deaths benefit the Ango-American Oil Company and their puppets, the U.S. Fascist Party, no problem! Bushit forever!

[bildooreilly]

This AL CIADA terrorist luis posada has been involved with everything from JFK's assasination to Iran Contra, to Whitewater... almost every major scandal the last 45 years this guy is involved in it....

[agnim]

"Should they also be set free?
Posted by mcdazz at 07:23 PM : Apr 19, 2007"

Actually, this American sponsored terrorist, Luis Posada, who blew that passenger airline out of the sky killing scores was indeed tried, convicted, and ESCAPED justice to take refuge in US, the so-called warrior on terrorism!

The killing of Americans by means of passenger airplanes can be seen partly as returning karma to the US for American sponsoring and housing of this airplane terrorist!

[antoniof123]

So let me get this straight it is okay for this moron that is fighting an illegal war to toruture people but others can not. what the 111111 are you wing nuts talking about now. I have never been so made at the right wing nuts as I am now never again will I vote for the conservitive party they have lied twice in my life time and three times in my dads so to hell with you he was right after Nixon.

lars008 wrote:

"clintoon pardons true terrorists......
In a bone-chilling chapter of her new book "The Final Days," late heroine-author Barbara Olson warned that ex-president Bill Clinton's pardons of terrorists who had repeatedly bombed buildings in New York City "send a signal" that the U.S. isn't serious about fighting terrorism."

Perhaps Clinton was following Bush Snr, who pardoned a convicted terrorist by the name of Orlando Bosch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Bosch

"Bosch was pardoned of all American charges by President George H.W. Bush on July 18, 1990 at the request of his son Jeb Bush, who later became Governor of Florida; this pardon was despite objections by the then President's own defense department, that Bosch was one of the most deadly terrorists working "within the hemisphere.""

"Although many countries seek Bosch's extradition he remains free in the United States. The political pressure to grant Bosch a pardon was begun during the congressional campaign run by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, herself a Cuban American, and overseen by her campaign manager Jeb Bush. The resultant pardon reputedly saw huge celebrations in Miami, in what was then called 'Free Orlando Day.'"

Why isn't capturing Bin Laden a priority?

GW Bush, Washington DC, March 13, 2002:

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."

pwrslm wrote:

"for a man who has never been tried and convicted for a crime, many on this board have already sentenced him

this guys 79"

What a hypocrite you are.

1. This man is a terrorist - plain and simple.

2. Your comment "for a man who has never been tried and convicted for a crime, many on this board have already sentenced him" also applies to everyone held in Guantanamo.

Are you now saying that they should all be freed?

3. Many of those who committed terrible crimes against the Jews and others are of his age.

Should they also be set free?

[wogerwabbit]

But, lars008... we're not talkin about Clinton. And, if we were comparing presidents, as bad as you perceive Clinton to be, he's a siant compared to the moron we now have in office. A Rhodes cholar vs. a C student. A $5 billion surplus vs. record deficit... should I go on?

[pwrslm]

for a man who has never been tried and convicted for a crime, many on this board have already sentenced him

this guys 79

he does not belong in custody

and he does not belong in the US

but thats something that is caused by congress, not the president

and it goes back over 30 years

another thing...

what idiot sits happy in his pile of poo claiming the usa condones torture?

its got to be a state of mind, eh?

some foreign state maybe, because stupid is not an american one

then again, it might be another state, the one where they think that bright lights should be illegal, and that being a prisoner means you live in the Hilton...NOT...wake up, we all know that even the ancient romans hosted thier war prisoners in delux, four star motels....

[agnim]

AN AMERICAN SPONSORED TERRORIST WHO BLEW A PASSENGER PLANE OUT THE SKIES KILLY SCORES IS FETED AND CUDDLED BY THE US!

Considering that passanger planes were ALSO USED BY TERRORISTS to kill thousands of Ameiracans on 911, there goes the war on terrorism.

No one should take Americans as being serious about terrorism.

[lars008-2009]

Isn't it ironic?....we send our terrorists to Cuba to be tortured but have to protect the CIA terrorists from potential torture in Cuba?!?!
Posted by chimneyfish at 04:24 PM : Apr 19, 2007

defending castro communism.... hahahaha

another communism induced famine deaths like north korea, china and russia

Venezuela's Chavez announces plans for 'collective property' under shift toward socialism

Critics say reform has failed to revive Venezuela's agriculture industry, which does not produce enough food to satisfy domestic demand. The government has been forced to import food amid shortages of staples such as meats, milk and sugar.
"If Mr. Chavez really wants to help Venezuela's poor farmers, he must offer them technical assistance and sufficient financing because land doesn't become productive without investment," said opposition leader Alfonzo Marquina. "We're only seeing increasing shortages and more expensive products."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/25/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-Chavez.php

[lars008-2009]

This guy is the worst kind of terrorist... and our government is protecting him. And the US government says wherever we deport him, he might be tortured. There seems to be a great deal of difference the way we treat 'our terrorists' and 'other terrorists.'
Posted by wogerwabbit at 04:08 PM : Apr 19, 2007

Castro is the worst kind of terrorist.......

clintoon pardons true terrorists......
In a bone-chilling chapter of her new book "The Final Days," late heroine-author Barbara Olson warned that ex-president Bill Clinton's pardons of terrorists who had repeatedly bombed buildings in New York City "send a signal" that the U.S. isn't serious about fighting terrorism.
http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/olson.htm

Bill Clinton pardons controversy
FALN Pardons of 1999
On August 11 1999, Clinton commuted the sentences of 16 members of FALN, a violent Puerto Rican nationalist group that set off 120 bombs in the United States usually in New York City and Chicago, convicted for conspiracies to commit robbery, bomb-making, and sedition, as well as for firearms and explosives violations.
http://www.answers.com/topic/bill-clinton-pardons-controversy

[wogerwabbit]

This guy is the worst kind of terrorist... and our government is protecting him. And the US government says wherever we deport him, he might be tortured. There seems to be a great deal of difference the way we treat 'our terrorists' and 'other terrorists.'

[lars008-2009]

***.... When did communism become a monarchy???

north korea hands power father to son and now to another son???

cuba hands power to a brother???

i thought we were all equal comrade..... hahahaha

guess it isn't communism anymore......lol

NK NewsDatabase of North Korean Propaganda
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Join the battle for North Korea... watch the video:
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http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/15/nkorea.us/index.html

[inventagod2]

Ahhh, another Ollie North baddie, protected by the Bu$hes