Luis Posada Carriles Found Not Guilty; Cuban In El Paso Reacts

A long trial ended with a speedy verdict in the trial of Luis Posada Carriles.

The defense said the U.S. government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Posada Carriles was guilty of perjery, obstruction and immigration fraud.

The Cuban-born anti-communist militant was all smiles, as was his defense team, when they heard the not guilty verdict. But one Cuban, now living in El Paso, said he had mixed emotions about Friday’s outcome.

“When you meet him, he is different from the image you’re told about (in Cuba),” said Julio Molinet.

“I’m very happy,” Posada Carriles said in Spanish during a news conference.

The 83-year-old was surrounded by pleased attorneys who are now asking the U.S. Department of Justice to leave their client alone. “All he wants is to be at peace, at home with his family and to paint his paintings,” Arturo Hernandez said.

Posada Carriles was suspected of terrorism in Latin America and was accused of lying about that when he was interrogated after being found to be in the United States illegally.

When his trial began 13 weeks ago, dozens of protesters quietly held signs asking the U.S. to extradite the defendant.

It was quite a different story nearly four months later. After nearly three hours of deliberation, Posada Carriles silently left the federal courthouse through a back door — protesters nowhere in sight.

Posada Carriles told reporters his hope is for those living in Cuba to one day have freedom, liberty and democracy.

“It’s time for the Cuban people to be able to speak the way I’m speaking here,” he said.

As for Molinet, he just hopes justice has been served.

Attorneys for Posada Carriles said he will be leaving El Paso within the next 24 hours, possibly on a private jet to Miami.

Attorneys for the U.S. government did not return calls from ABC-7 requesting comment.