During a speech on Friday (June 16), Donald Trump spoke about a new deal that he's willing to make with Cuba, if the country agrees on a few certain things. One of these factors being about Cuba returning black rights activist Assata Shakur to the United States.
The political fighter -- who's also 2pac's godmother -- was charged and convicted of the 1974 killing of a state trooper in a shootout by the New Jersey Turnpike. In 1984, Shakur escaped from prison and fled to Cuba where she's been in political asylum ever since. Shakur is also on the America's Most Wanted list.
During his speech last week, Trump said about potentially working with Cuba in the future, "With God’s help, a free Cuba is what we will soon achieve." He continued on with ultimatums: “To the Cuban government, I say, put an end to the abuse of dissidents, release the political prisoners, stop jailing innocent people, open yourselves to political and economic freedoms, [and] return the fugitives from American justice. When Cuba is ready to take concrete steps to these ends, we will be ready, willing, and able to come to the table to negotiate that much better deal for Cubans, for Americans.” Then, Trump specifically pointed out his desire for “the cop–killer Joanne Chesimard” to be returned to the states.
While speaking to Yahoo News, the deputy director for American affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gustavo Machin, responded to Trump's speech. “I can say it is off the table,” Machin said when he was asked if Cuba plans of releasing Shakur. Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, also said in a speech of his own in Miami on Monday (June 19) that his country “will never negotiate under pressure or under threat.” He added: "Cuba conceded political asylum or refuge to U.S. fighters for civil rights. These persons will not be returned to the United States.”
Moreover, Peter Kornbluh, who's the co-author of “Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations Between Washington and Havana” added: “Fidel Castro gave her asylum, and those decisions are not going to be reversed.”
And there you have it. Assata Shakur isn't going anywhere.
Photo: Getty Images