This post will remain at the top of the page through June 4, 2016

During President Barack Obama's visit to Cuba in March 2016, dictator Raul Castro said he would be willing to release all Political Prisoners; all he needed was a list of names.

Only the biggest fool would believe him, but several groups almost immediately released their lists. Of course, there was no mass release.

On April 25, the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation, one of the most credible sources in Cuba for information on Political prisoners released its updated list of 93 political prisoners.

A major goal of this blog since its inception more than 10 years ago is to recognize those brave Cubans imprisoned because of their opposition to, and their actions in service of their beliefs, against the Castro dictatorship. It is one small step to ensure that they, and their oppressors, know that they are not forgotten.

In that spirit, Uncommon Sense has revived one of its most important features, the Cuban Political Prisoner of the Week.

|---|

Joel Bencomo Rodriguez

Joel Bencomo, a citizen-journalist and an activist with a group headed by the famed dissident Guillermo Farinas, was arrested Oct. 1, 2014, convicted of "disrespect" and sentenced to two years in prison. At one point, his captors tried to transfer him to a forced labor camp, but he "refused to budge."