EUSEBIO PEALVER
(1936-2006)



Eusebio was the worldђs longest-serving
black political prisoner of the last century,
and in the history of the world.

Eusebio de Jess Pe alver Mazorra
By John Tiller
Vive Le Canada
Archives:
Research Dept
La Nueva Cuba
May 11, 2006

Eusebio Penalver is the stuff of which movie heroes are made. Eusebio was the worlds longest-serving black political prisoner of the last century, and in the history of the world. He is a black Cuban, holed up and tortured in Castro's jails longer than Nelson Mandela languished in South Africa's. He was bloodied in his fight with Castro-style Communism but unbowed after 30 years in its dungeons. He scorned any "re-education" by his jailers. He knew it was his jailers who needed the education. He refused to wear the uniform of a common criminal. He knew who should wear this too. He stood defiant through almost 30 years of hell in Castro's prisons.

Ever heard of him? He was a hero of the revolution fighting with the Che Guevara force at the very beginning. He lives in Miami, one of America's largest and easiest to find cities. He'd be a cinch to track down. Ever see a CNN interview with him? Ever see him on "60 Minutes"? Ever read about him in the New York Times? The Boston Globe? Ever read about him in the Globe and Mail or hear him on the CBC? Ever hear anyone refer to Eusebio Penalver, the longest serving black political prisoner on the planet, when they are talking about black prisoners of conscience? Of course not. And it figures. He was Castro's political prisoner and we just consider him another crazy Cuban refugee. And, as we all know, that doesn't count in polite society.