From: ez000281@hamlet.ucdavis.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.latin-america
Subject: Re: NicaNet NY Weekly Update 156 1/24/9
Date: 27 Jan 93 18:06:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: ucdavis.21884
Organization: Computing Services, UC Davis

Nicaraguan chamorrosandinista communists write:

>10. CHARGES AGAINST PUERTO RICAN "MACHETERO" DROPPED

>The US government has dropped its principal charges against Luis
>Colon Osorio, self-proclaimed leader of the Puerto Rican pro-
>independence organization the "Macheteros," accused in connection
>with the 1983 robbery of $7.1 million from Wells Fargo in
>Connecticut. Federal prosecutor in Connecticut Albert Dabrowski
>dropped the charge of conspiracy to distribute toys supposedly
>bought with the stolen money. 

Of course they fail to mention that the "Machete Men" are also responsible for 
the murder to two unarmed communications personell in a terrorist attack with 
Ak-47s near Saba Seca, Puerto Rico, the point blank shooting of an unarmed 
sailor who was on shore leave in San Juan, the bombing of miliatry planes 
stationed in a civilian airport, numerous bombings of local post offices, one 
of which sent a few civilians to the hospital, a bazooka attack on Social 
Security officies in Hato Rey's Federal Building, and other sorts of ignominous 
criminal acts.

>"Discretion of the prosecution in
>limiting the complexity and duration of trials" was a reason
>given by the government to explain the dismissal of the charges.

Perhaps they have something else in mind for Mr. Osorio.  After all the way 
they captured the entire group of thugs was by not arresting their first 
suspect, but rather by continuing surveillance on Ojeda.  After a few weeks, 
they had everything on tape, and the trials would be a free ride for 
prosecution.  Some didn't event present a defense and admited, of their own 
free will, that they had commited these hideous crimes.  In fact one female 
Machetero, confessed the money laundering involved with the purchasing of the 
toys that were distributed in NYC as a publicity stunt.  So if the prosecution 
didn't pursue this any further, it was simply becuase they have bigger fish in 
mind.

>Osorio was found guilty of violating bail, and his sentencing was
>postponed from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29.  [Osorio was originally
>arrested in 1985 along with another Macheteros leader, Filiberto
>Ojeda Rios. The two escaped FBI surveillance and jumped bail in
>September 1990. Osorio was rearrested on Mar. 17, 1992; Ojeda
>Rios, who remains a fugitive, was convicted in absentia of
>masterminding the theft and sentenced to 55 years in prison and a
>$600,000 fine.]

True.  And whenever you visit your local post office take a good look at the 
pictures of this dangerous fugitive and notify the FBI at once.  Do not attempt 
any citizen's arrest for you are dealing with an extrememly dangerous maniac.

>Linda Backiel, Osorio's lawyer, said the prosecution has asked
>for a sentence of 14 months in prison for Osorio; he has already
>served 10 months in the federal prison at Otisville. She said the
>decision to drop the conspiracy charge represented a change in
>policy toward Puerto Rican independence activists. "I believe the
>government has seen that it cannot continue punishing the
>independence struggle, that that line no longer has a place in
>today's world, that now under a new administration there will be
>a change in the way they fight with Puerto Rican independence
>activists." [ED-LP 1/24/93]

I wouldn't like this fellow as my attorney.  I just don't see how she can make 
such inferences from the first statement.  Our government will continue to 
prosecute terrorists, murderers and bank robbers, no matter if they are 
statehooders, commonwealthers, or independence advocates.  Criminals are 
criminals no matter their political afiliation.  Our government isn't punishing 
the indpendence movement with the arrest and convictions of the "Machete Men", 
it is punishing a few hoodlums  who kill and rob in the name of independence 
just so that they can live and plan murders in their luxurious Condado 
apartments, or in a Luquillo beach condo with the 7.5 million of their Wells 
Fargo heist.  Fortunately the key elements of this crime ring are now in 
prison, and we only have to worry about Ojeda, who jumped bail (sacrificing the 
properties and homes of many indpendence advocates) and today is currently at 
large fabricating explosives to be used on innocent civilians.  This is what 
our goverment is punishing ans will continue to punish with the support of 99% 
of our people in Puerto Rico.

Edelmiro Salas
easalas@ucdavis.edu