TORONTO - Canadians from coast to coast have been voicing their
outrage after learning of 19-year-old Cody LeCompte's plight in Cuba.
And they are even more dismayed to learn
that after three months of detention in the communist country -- for a
car accident that he claims wasn't his fault -- our government has been
content to wait for justice to run its course rather than take swift
action to help the young man get back home.
'Wept with anger'
"Today I wept with anger," one Sun reader
wrote on a Facebook group dedicated to helping Cody after reading the
story that appeared in Thursday's paper.
"I am appalled that our government is failing him," the reader added.
"We must unite and take action in bringing Cody home, immediately!"
The Simcoe teen was on a two-week vacation with his mom that was supposed to be a reward for getting into college.
Instead his life has been turned upside down
because of a bizarre law that forces tourists involved in accidents
where a Cuban citizen is seriously hurt to prove his or her innocence
before being allowed to leave the country.
Cody's mom, Danette, who is at her son's side
because she's afraid to leave him alone in Santa Lucia, so far is
$30,000 in debt after paying for lawyer's fees, a room at the resort and
other expenses.
She is on the verge of financial ruin and Cody hasn't been charged with anything.
Danette was in the rental car, so was her
cousin and his Cuban fiancee, and Cody was driving when they were
allegedly "broadsided" by a truck April 29.
They were all hospitalized but have since
recovered from their injuries, including the fiancee who underwent
surgery for her damaged liver. Apparently, the only one still hurting is
Cody.
He and his mom were unavailable Thursday because they were meeting with their lawyer.
"I have never been to Cuba and never will
go!" Sun reader Steven Leech wrote on torontosun.com, adding the feds
should "put a travel ban on Cuba and cut off all foreign aid" to the
impoverished country.
Similar sentiments were echoed by callers
from across Canada to Roy Green, on AM 640. The talk radio show host has
been at the forefront of efforts to bring the teen home. But it appears
the anger of Canadians has been heard.
"While at the African Union Summit in Uganda,
Deepak Obhrai, parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign
affairs, has met with senior Cuban officials and raised LeCompte's case
directly," spokesman Dana Cryderman said.
From: CNEWS
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