Pope Francis Smells Sulfur with Maduro's Presence

Nine years ago, Hugo Chavez stood at the UN General Assembly and made his famous statement against then president George Bush saying that "The devil came here yesterday, and it smells of sulfur still today, this table that I am now standing in front of."

This very disrespectful comment from the Venezuelan President  was considered a daring act by many. Chavez repeatedly accused Bush of orchestrating a cup d’état against him in 2002.
Last Friday Pope Francis addressed the United Nation with his passion about “enviromental justice.” After the Pope's remarkable speech, and as he was leaving , Maduro attempted to move closer, to be acknowledged.  His attempt was in vain and instead it raised eyebrows at his desperation. 

It is difficult to understand why  the Pope is okay with shaking the bloody hands  of Fidel Castro, last week. Thousand have been killed under his watch and many others are still victims of his brother Raul's regime. What is even more baffling from this otherwise remarkable Pope is his indifference with the Cuban dissidents. Last week while in Cuba, he  ignored the Opposition leaders who wanted to meet with him.  This seems to be a contradiction.

But going back to Maduro, It is very possible that the Pope finally smelled Maduro's Sulfur from his human right violations, and the conviction of Leopoldo Lopez. 

Pope Francis and Raul Castro

I was disturbed by the welcoming treatment from Pope Francis to Raul Castro.  The Cuban regime has been in power for more than half century and has killed and jailed thousands, and is still in control of Cuba.  Opening the doors to a murder is insulting to the Cuban people that has suffered and continue suffering the brutality of this dictatorship.

The world is trying to forget that the Cuban regime under Fidel Castro and now under his brother has caused a lot of damages not only to Cuba but their neighboring countries as well.

I had the opportunity to meet a group of Cuban former political prisoners from the 60's, for my recent documentary entitled Celebrating Life in Union.  Their stories of abuses tortures, imprisonment, and death are heartbreaking. Somebody like the Pope should be more sensitive toward the Cuban people. They are the real heroes of this tragic Cuban story.