Ana Belén Montes released from US prison
News from Cuba | Monday, 9 January 2023
AnaBelenMontes
Ana, who worked as a senior analyst at the DIA and a senior expert on Cuban military affairs, was sentenced in 2002 to 25 years in prison for sending classified information to Cuban authorities. When convicted, she maintained that the activities she carried out were an act of obedience to her "conscience rather than the law", on the basis that the US government's policy towards Cuba was "cruel and unfair, and contradictory to the ideal of the good neighbor".
The terms of her imprisonment were particularly harsh, being unable to receive visits, have email or telephone correspondence or use a computer. In October 2016, Ana was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy, as well as a mastectomy.
Ana returned to Purto Rico on her release, saying in a statement that “I am more than happy to touch Puerto Rican soil again. After two rather grueling decades and the need to return to earning a living, I would like to dedicate myself to a quiet and private existence". Ana added that she won't be participating in media activities, and instead encouraged "those who want to focus on me to instead focus on important issues, such as the serious problems facing the Puerto Rican people or the US economic embargo on Cuba.”
