American Prisoner in Cuba on Hunger Strike

Cuba’s Foreign Ministry says that it received «with concern» the information that the imprisoned U.S. subcontractor Alan Gross had started a hunger strike last week.

In the statement, signed by Josefina Vidal, General Director of the U.S. Department of the Foreign Ministry in Havana, the Cuban Government stressed that they are willing to find a «solution» to the case, in conjunction with the US Government.

The statement said that Gross is «in good physical and his health is normal and stable», without making any specific comments on the impact of the hunger strike.

He has received medical treatment for the chronic ailments of his age. Gross has been visited by his wife and his lawyer, with whom he maintains telephone and electronic communication, as well as with other relatives and friends. He also receives monthly consular access for American diplomatic officials and political figures and religious visits», says the statement.

Alan Gross was arrested in 2009 and later sentenced to 15 years in prison for the importation of illegal satellite equipment to set up the Internet access control in Cuba.

He was hired by the U.S. Government agency USAID – in charge of the «Twitter» Cuban, Zunzuneo. Gross was convicted of acts against the independence and the territorial integrity of the State of Cuba.