Cuba Frees Imprisoned Journalist
VOA News / 25 Jun 2004, 14:16 UTC

Cuban authorities have released an imprisoned journalist who was jailed last year in a government crackdown.
Authorities freed 52-year-old Manuel Vazquez Portal, who suffers from respiratory problems.

The journalist told the Associated Press in Havana Thursday that he was stunned by his release, which occurred late Wednesday. Vazquez said he does not know why he was freed ahead of other prisoners with more serious health problems.

Vazquez was among 75 people rounded up in March of last year. They were accused of working with and receiving money from the U.S. government to undermine President Fidel Castro. The activists and U.S. officials denied the charge.

The dissidents were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Vazquez becomes the sixth prisoner to be freed since last year's convictions. A 62-year-old educator, Roberto de Miranda, was also freed for medical reasons Wednesday.

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