I believe the visit will have an impact in our country, a great impact,

Although, regretfully, I'm not expecting a miracle. Nor do I believe that the Holy Father thinks that there will be a miracle. Because our country needs more than a miracle to solve its problems.

I think it's a humanitarian gesture on the part of the Canadian government and we now hope our government will continue the process of prisoner releases. Right now, 110 people have been released, which means that the number of political prisoners in Cuba is diminishing.

the biggest wave of repression this year.

The accusations are totally unfounded. My worry is that this could be a preamble to more drastic measures by the government toward a peaceful internal movement.

They committed no crime in holding this meeting ... the Cuban government is violating civil rights here.