Although, regretfully, I'm not expecting a miracle. Nor do I believe that the Holy Father thinks that there will be a miracle. Because our country needs more than a miracle to solve its problems.

I think it's a humanitarian gesture on the part of the Canadian government and we now hope our government will continue the process of prisoner releases. Right now, 110 people have been released, which means that the number of political prisoners in Cuba is diminishing.

We want change with or without the embargo. In general, the Cuban government treats (dissidents) like people who do not exist.

A normal relation between the two countries instead of this Cold War mentality.

The biggest wave of repression this year.

Never in the history of Cuba has there been these kinds of meetings between foreigners and representatives of the opposition.

What we have today is the departure of the first group ... which is going to travel to Canada.

They committed no crime in holding this meeting ... the Cuban government is violating civil rights here.

The accusations are totally unfounded. My worry is that this could be a preamble to more drastic measures by the government toward a peaceful internal movement.