NATIONAL SECURITY is Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s primary consideration as he weighs his options for housing Cuban national Raul Garcia.
Fifty-seven-year-old Garcia was convicted in 1994 of a number of cocaine-related charges, including importation of the illegal drug into Barbados, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
He completed that sentence two years ago but remains at HMP Dodds under prison conditions, awaiting a decision on his future. He has gone on hunger strike and there have been several calls for his release from prison.
“I intend no injustice to Mr Garcia, but I just have to make sure that the national security of Barbados is properly protected,” the Prime Minister said yesterday when questioned about the status of the Cuban.
Stuart told the media at Ilaro Court: “I do not think that Mr Garcia should be held at Dodds prison indefinitely.” .
