CUBA: TALKS WITH EU POSSIBLY INCLUDE DEATH PENALTY

military tribunals that tried serious cases of murder and kidnapping in the last few weeks in Cuba have opted for life sentences or 30-year prison terms instead of the death penalty, which has not been applied in this country in more than four years in a de facto moratorium. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque announced that during the UN General Assembly session, he would hold "exploratory talks" with the European Union troika, representing the past, present and future EU presidencies. It is not known, however, whether the EU initiative against capital punishment will be included on the list of issues to be discussed.