Five Of Cuban Militant’s Associates Plead Guilty

SAN ANTONIO — Five people associated with Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles pleaded guilty on Thursday to obstruction of justice, ABC 7 has learned.

The five refused to testify before a grand jury looking into charges that Posada Carriles gave false statements to the U.S. government about his alleged illegal entry the country.

Three people, Ernesto Abreu, Osvaldo Mitat and Santiago Alvarez, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice on Dec. 3.

They are scheduled for sentencing Feb. 1, 2008.

The other two, Ruben Lopez-Castro and Jose Pujol pleaded guilty Wednesday, and are scheduled to be sentenced March 13, 2008.

Posada Carriles was held in federal custody for nearly two years after being picked up for illegal entry.

IMay, El Paso-based federal judge Kathleen Cardone threw out the charges against Posada Carriles, saying immigration officials fell far short of making a case against the 79-year-old.

Posada Carriles is wanted in both Cuba and Venezuela, on charges of terrorism.

He is accused of plotting the 1973 bombing of a Cuban airliner.