OPEN LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

My name is Jose Manuel Caraballo Bravo, I am graduate to teach English in primary schools, senior and high schools, even in the University. I am poet and I love the literary profession.
 
Nowadays because of my devotion to the independent journalism I was forced to quit from my steady job as a teacher in the year 2000.
Now I direct an independent press agency, APLA – Agencia de Prensa Libre Avileña – I won’t explain you what happens to someone who decides to dissent from the Castro’s regimen because I know you have got enough information about it.
 
Our family is desperate and alarmed. I was an applicant for the Refugee Program of the USIS in Havana, and I was given a Visa in May 21st, 2004. I was sentenced by the Cuban government in a forged cause (they tried to gag me), within this period I got married in the year 2006, it was in a Saint Valentine’s Day, my first heir was born in August 20th; but unfortunately he died three months later, now he is next to God.

Few people know about it because we did not want to spread abroad the bad news, our proposal was to forget that episode(though he is in our hearts) to keep our mental health.
 
Up to date my wife. Idalidia Ecchemendia Manzano, and the one who writes this letter are between the devil and the deep blue sea. In a way the political police, apart from laughing at us and saying “now we are not in the middle, now the Americans are(something we do not believe), we have been chasing, watching, and the campaign of discredit has increased.

In my particular case they(political police) say I am gay or that I am a member of the political police; but I am calm because God is with me, and joined together there is no fear. I do know who I am. My legate – if I die – is thru the digital pages in Internet, from Cubanet to Miscelaneas de Cuba.

Gentlemen of the Department of States who attend emigration, especially refugees, we are asking you with our hearts in our hands for help, please resolve the case CU: 45069.

My confirmation from Washington expires next October. In April I was phoned from the refugee department in order to go to Havana and fix the flight’s date, but days latter I was phoned again and they said we have to wait because our dossier was about to be checked again.
 
In the name of God, I cannot resist any longer, I do not want to think that the only way is sailing in a raft among sharks of the Florida’s strait. I cannot live in this Island anymore. You are my last chance.

Please help us!!!