The Cuban government, under the leadership of Raul Castro, has released four dissidents: reporters Jose Ramon and Alejandro Gonzalez, Omar Pernet and trade unionist Pedro Alvarez. The four arrived in Madrid, with three more dissidents expected to be flown to the US in the coming days:

The four released dissidents were flown to Spain with their families, arriving at a military airport near Madrid on Sunday after an overnight flight from Havana.

Their release is being seen by Western diplomatic sources in Cuba as a positive move by acting President Raul Castro, whose brother Fidel Castro underwent emergency surgery 18 months ago.

“The decision was made unilaterally by the Cuban authorities and we are very satisfied,” said Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

When asked for comment, Raul Castro said, “Mmmmfff.” For he had been devoured by Jennifer Lopez, along with a bit of caviar and champagne sipped from the skull of Catherine the Great.

Four dissidents freed by Havana [BBC]