Chief Justice of Cuba’s Supreme Court says death penalty must remain to defend the revolution

When the communist Castro dictatorship says “Patria o Muerte” (homeland or death), that’s exactly what they mean. You’re either with the revolution or you’re dead. This is socialism in action.

Via Diario de Cuba (my translation):

The death penalty in Cuba ‘is there to defend the Revolution,’ the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Chief warns

The Chief Justice of the People’s Supreme Court, Rubén Remigio Ferro, issued a threat saying the application of the death penalty is a “defense” of the Cuban regime and the much-touted “citizen tranquility.” The warning came during remarks made on Thursday at the National Assembly of People’s Power, where the new Military Penal Code was approved without surprises.

“It has been 20 years since a death penalty was applied in Cuba. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It is included in various serious criminal offenses; it is also present in acts associated with terrorism and provides for the death penalty for several reasons,” said Remigio Ferrro.

“We need to have it as a defense element for our society, as a defense of our state, our Revolution, against the very serious threats we constantly face. And also for citizen tranquility,” he added in his speech.

The death penalty is included in the new Cuban penal law. In fact, the regime increased the number of offenses punishable by death by four. While the previous Penal Code listed 20 offenses, the new one that came into effect on December 1, 2023, contains 24, with murder being one of the crimes subject to this punishment.

The four offenses added to the new Penal Code that can be punished with the maximum penalty are crimes against the security of the State. Out of the total 24 offenses, more than half of those subject to the maximum penalty are of this nature.

In May of last year, days before the unanimous approval of the new Penal Code by the National Assembly of People’s Power, the Cuban regime’s representation at the United Nations linked the elimination of this punishment to the policy of the United States Government towards Cuba.

The presence of the death penalty in the Cuban Penal Code is one of the main criticisms of the Island’s regime. Both human rights organizations and international bodies demand its abolition.