N.J. State Police: 'Going to Cuba? Watch out for cop killers'

N.J. State Police: 'Going to Cuba? Watch out for cop killers'
State Police: Cuba harboring terrorists
In a message posted to the State Police Facebook page, Col. Rick Fuentes
warns those traveling to Cuba to be on the lookout for fugitive terrorists.

on March 17, 2016 at 5:38 PM, updated March 17, 2016 at 7:13 PM
NEWARK — Highlighting lingering tensions in the United States' fraught
relationship with Cuba, the head of the New Jersey State Police on
Thursday released a video warning potential tourists to be on the
lookout for terrorists the island nation is harboring.

"As a matter of public safety, I believe that all those considering
travel to Cuba need to be aware that four dangerous fugitive terrorists
are living free and protected on the island," Fuentes said.

The message, tied to President Barack Obama's planned trip to Cuba, is
the latest effort in Fuentes' campaign for the return of Joanne
Chesimard, who was convicted for the 1973 killing of New Jersey State
Trooper Werner Foerster but later escaped prison and fled to Cuba.

Fuentes said that Chesimard — along with other wanted fugitives Charles
Hill, William Guillermo Morales and Victor Manuel Gerena — were
collectively tied to groups responsible for "the deaths of 17 police
officers, five American civilians, two members of the U.S. military and
a string of 159 bombings."

In a sternly-worded editorial published in the Miami Herald, Fuentes
also warned of wanted terrorists who "roam the island freely and are
still dangerous revolutionaries, disenchanted about all things American."

"Tourists to Cuba, please be careful," the colonel wrote. "You are not
dignitaries with security teams, or part of a pampered and propagandized
political delegation fattened and flattered by the type of cuisine and
accommodations most Cubans can only dream about."

Chesimard, who goes by Assata Shakur and holds asylum status in Cuba, is
also featured prominently on an advisory message posted on the State
Police website this week warning would-be visitors that Cuba is home to
several people wanted by the FBI.

Chesimard is New Jersey's most wanted fugitive, with a $2 million bounty
offered for information leading to her capture.

The message came as Obama is preparing for an historic visit to Cuba on
March 21-22, as the two countries seek to restore diplomatic relations.

News of Obama's visit drew sharp criticism from U.S. Sen. Robert
Menendez and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, the two Cuban-Americans in New
Jersey's congressional delegation, who oppose the Obama administration's
discussions with the regime of brothers Raul and Fidel Castro.

Fuentes, Menendez and Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, have all called
for Chesimard's return to the U.S. as part of the negotiations to resume
travel and trade with Cuba.

Supporters of Chesimard, who have long maintained her innocence, claims
she was set up and did not fire the shots that killed Foerster. She has
maintained renown while in exile in some circles, where she is
considered an escaped political prisoner from the black nationalist
movement.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com.

Source: N.J. State Police: 'Going to Cuba? Watch out for cop killers' |
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http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/state_police_warn_of_terrorists_in_cuba_ahead_of_o.html