Cody LeCompte deserves to be home.

If you've been listening over the weekend then you heard the story of 19 year old Cody LeCompte of Ontario.

Reaction from listeners has been significantly in favour of calling on the Cuban government to release Cody and allow him to return home.

Background:  Cody's Mom Danette took her son to Cuba as a graduation present.  This was April of this year.  While there, they rented a car which was involved in a traffic accident.  We're told a dump truck driven by a Cuban national broadsided the rental car.  There were some injuries sustained by Cody, his uncle, his uncle's Cuban fiancee and Cody's mother Danette.  None life-threatening and all healed now we're informed.

Nevertheless Cody is being detained for possible trial.  This after Cuban officials according to Cody had assured him he would be allowed to return home.  He is staying at a tourist hotel, so mandated by the Cuban government according to Cody's Mom.  This detention is being billed to Danette LeCompte and she informs the costs now are approaching $20,000.  That is money she doesn't have.

Danette pleaded on air today to her member of parliament, federal cabinet minister Diane Finley to communicate about what Ms. Finley is doing on Cody's behalf.  Apparently, other than one phone call some time ago, there has been no communication from Ms. Finley.  

What exactly is Cuba gaining by detaining 19 year old Cody LeCompte?  Other than collecting the many thousands of dollars from his mother as payment for the detention?  I wanted to ask a Cuban embassy official in Canada that very question (and a few others) and sent an email requesting an interview to the person listed immediately below the Ambassador on the embassy's website (and the first person with a visible email address).  There has been no reply.

Already some listeners have sent emails suggesting they will now not make Cuba a vacation destination.

Several listener emails have raised the question about the adviseability of renting a vehicle in Cuba.  I cannot speak to that.  If a rental vehicle is available on vacation each traveller will have to decide whether or not to take advantage of that option.

Cody and his Mom aren't asking for any money from the federal government.  They aren't asking for anything but for Cody's return to Canada.  By the way, Cody told me yesterday on air that he's still suffering from pain from what he suspects were fractured ribs, bones in his hands and possibly a collar bone fracture as well.  Dr. Richard Guscott of Hamilton who made me aware of Cody's situation also expressed concerns about Cody's health.  Dr. Guscott, prominent member of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, has been communicating on Cody's behalf with the Canadian Embassy in Cuba.  Dr. Guscott isn't impressed with what he's heard back.

Bill Wilkerson is the CEO of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health.  Bill Wilkerson has also taken a direct interest in Cody's case and is working hard to see Cody released.

You can help by contacting either MP and cabinet minister Diane Finley's office directly, or your member of parliament or the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa.

I will be sitting in for Charles Adler this week and will have the latest developments in Cody's situation on air as the week progresses.

roy

Comments

[Bruce]

While I sympathize with Cody and his family over their plight in Cuba, this situation shows that when you travel to a Comunist,third world country you are running the risk of being treated differently than you would be treated here in Canada.

[Ed Landser]

Why on earth are Canadians making a repressive Communist regime a tourist destination in the first place? I have no sympathy for spoiled, thoughtless people who are enabling the totalitarian government there just because they want to get cheap liquor off the backs of the oppressed people. Wake up. Cuba has a dismal record of human rights towards their own people and anyone subsidizing them deserves to be punished. Spend your tourist dollars on a government that deserves to be rewarded.

[les]

As a frequent traveller to Cuba, I have found that the government and even police/customs have made huge strides toward better relationships with tourism. They are VERY dependent on tourists. It is (by far) the most important segement of their economy. It is definitely the way to fight this and get this resolved.

However, from what I read, it says he was 19 and everywhere that I have been it is clearly noted that you must be 21 to rent. Was the car rented in his name or someone elses who was 21+. Was he driving, even though he was not supposed to? They do have rights to uphold their laws, but the timing is ridiculous.

What is this really all about? It just doesn't ring true to me that they would hold him up like this for no reason. There MUST be more to this story.

However, if not, the VERY best way to do this, is to fight this exactly as you are doing. It will be resolved VERY quickly if the public starts cancelling trips and they get bad press regarding tourism.

[Bill]

So Roy, Let's spill all kinds of ink and spend hours of government money, which is our money, to get a terrorist out of Gitmo. And yet, we'll leave a citizen in Cuba for an accident with no diplomatic help. Shame on our government.

[Beth]

Interesting that Canadian Govt. is not intervening. Does Govt. know something the rest of us don't? At times, our tourists can behave in strange ways when in other countries, not realizing the legal ramifications. I'm not saying Cody acted inappropriately in any way, but if he behaved appropriately, why is our Govt. stalling?

I've been to Cuba before and never encountered any problems. One time I did witness a young man from Canada acting stupidly. I said as much to him. He replied that he was trying to impress to the Cubans that we are free in Canada. I said to him that if he wanted to educate them, he should educate himself first.

[Dana Gugyelka]

Disgraceful that our own Government would not take a harder line with a foreign country to release a Canadian citizen in such circumstances. I sent Jason Kenney my MP a fax and email to do something about this. Canada is too soft in such situations. I wonder how quickly Cody would be returned if the Canadian Government stopped all tourists from traveling to Cuba? We should play hardball just as the Cuban Government has treated Cody a Canadian Citizen!

[Laurie]

I have already emailed Ms Finlay and I am in the process of emailing my MP to look into helping this family.

[Jake Dickey]

Hi Roy,
Just wanted to say how upset I am over this story. This poor kid and his family don't deserve this!!This is just wrong in so many ways. Our government should be ashamed!. I'm sure with public pressure the government will have no choice but to right this.I don't get a chance to listen to you as often as I would like. I've never wrote a talk show host or the Prime Minister before, but thanks to you I've done both. Keep up the great work! You are a God Send!
Jake

[John]

Let's not blame the victim here, which appears to be the argument many are making. One of the responsibilities of government is to represent Canadians overseas. Without that, why would there be embassies? He didn't go to a war zone, he's on a vacation.

I would not visit Cuba because to do so supports the Communist dictatorship there. Many Canadian progressives like the Cuban government, because it is anti American and that is good enough for them. To suggest that because he was 19 and maybe the driving age was 21, he must endure this experience is beyond the pale.

Ignatief and Taliban Jack Layton have all kinds of time and energy for a terrorist who killed a medic. Strange priorities.

Contact your MP, contact Diane Finley, contact Taliban Jack, and Stephen Harper. Do the right thing, bring his young man home.

[Mike Macleod]

Hi Mr Green

I would like to start by saying that I have been to Cuba seven times, in the last six years. and have fallin in love with the country and it"s people. Put I will stop going to cuba, if Cody Lecompte is not sent home in the same physical condition, he went to cuba in. Why the Cuban goverment and judicial system would take this stand on a young man who was involved in a accident that was'nt even his fault is unacceptbale to me and should be with all canadians. Thank you for your time.

Your's Truly
mike macleod

[George Sellmer]

Roy,
I was moved (and outraged) by Cody's story. I have emailed the PM, Diane finley and my MP Brent Rathgeber. Lets keep the pressure on! Thankyou for bringing this story to light!
Peace
George
St. Albert, AB

[Tracker]

Roy, I heard the show on Tuesday 20 July. Given all of the circumstances, I am at a loss for words. Number one, the situation this fellow Canadian and his family find themselves in is unacceptable, and Number two, why this government is not demanding his immediate release AND covering all cost is unbelievable.... If this so called Government had any balls, they would demand this fellow Canadians release OR slap a travel embargo on that tin can repressive Cuban Dictatorship. See how the loss of millions upon millions of Canadian travel dollars would sharpen them up and get them to show us some respect !!! I can speak from experience, they treat Canadians like hell and I cant and dont understand why. That fellow citizen LeCompte deserves ALL of our support and shame on the Cubans for biting the hand that feeds them and even worse, SHAME on our politicians for allowing this farce to continue. I am truly ashamed and embarassed as a Canadian. Get some balls Harper and that goes for my MP that I voted for Lois Brown. As Canadians we have to stand up to this crap and show that we wont accept their disrespect. We are talking about a simple traffic accident here, and our so called government lets this carry on with a fellow citizen and nothing is done- no repercussions- bend over a little further ??? Shame.............. I AM NOTHING SHORT OF PISSED OFF......Any Canadian should be..............

[John]

Why is anyone surprised? I was born in a (former) communist country. Against my best judgement, several years ago I've agreed to join several family friends and go for a vacation in Varadero. IT WAS AWFUL! From the lady who stood behind me at the airport washroom urinal upon arrival with a tip tray in one hand, and ONE sheet of toilet paper in the other, to the uniformed guard who literally body searched my wife in plain view at departure, it was by far the worst vacation of my life. NEVER AGAIN, Fidel and Raoul! There is always Bermuda, the Dominican, Mexico, St. Maartens, to name just a few...

[Laurie]

Hi Roy,
first of all, thank God for people like you. You are an advocate and voice for people who wouldn't have anywhere else to turn.
Secondly, I have emailed Ms Finlay and my MP (no response) and would like to do more to help Cody and his mom. Perhaps you can give us some advice and links?
l'm still heartbroken for this family. I hope Cody doesn't give up.

[Dwight]

Hi Roy

I am so disgusted with the Canadian Government.Cody should have been home long ago. I emailed my MP Rob Clark.I hope that everyone who listend to your show does the same and Email their MP.This young man needs to come home!

[FraserN]

Give your heads a shake people!

Read up on the laws of a country before you go or our own country's travel advisories - see http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=69000.

I am always amazed that people feel that other countries should have the same legal process (and laws) as Canada - news flash... they don't!

This is another one of those fishy stories that doesn't quite ring true (a la Brenda Martin).

[Carey Coroy]

Lets all jump to conclusions and assume the government has done nothing. It would just great if the liberals were back in power and the world would be right-wouldn't it? Get Lloyd Axworthy to call his buddies the Castros and pull some strings.
I have never been to Cuba and would never go. Maybe some of you lefties would stop going there we get some action from the communists.

[Lee-Anne Walker]

I am sadly disappointed in our Canadian Government. This child has done nothing wrong. Please bring him home now.

I have travelled to Varadero Cuba before but will no longer step foot on their soil. This is unbelievable!

[Cindy thompson]

I have been listening to the story of Cody and I feel terrible for what he is going through. I went through something similar in Cuba in April but luckily THANK MY G_D, we got out! What is the obligation of our Cdn government towards their citizens in foreign countries? I was in Cuba in April and my friend has a hobby of taking pix of Antennas ( he's a Senior and a DX er, former Radio Engineer) and he was caught. Interrograted with his driver, ( no English-speaking police for hours) for 9 hours, NO phone call, NO food. Finally, they let him go. We went to the Cdn Consualte in Veradaro a few days later. They said they couldn't help. Again,the day before we were to leave, the police and the military came to our hotel and took him back to Havana. I thought I would never see him again! I was terrified. Since they had seized his camera and equipment previously, this time they returned it to him after another 4 hours of interrogation and a 2 hour drive each way to and from Havana! At the airport the next day, our bags were taken and gone through for another hour; A comment was made since there were stamps from the U S : I thought we would both be doomed there! They were humiliating and ignorant and my friend said the holding cells and rooms there were FILTHY. NO WATER, NO FOOD OFFERED! I will return to Mexico where I find it safer in the resorts and no trouble. By the way, the stores were terribly short of food and it was almost impossible to find a Diet Coke! Just thought you might want to know........CINDY Thompson

[dam smoke]

heard the mom on the radio this morning asking for money, since it costs $90/night at the resort.
no, it costs $26/night at the resort single or double.

someone who was at the resort said the mom rented the car and cody - who is underage to drive - was driving.

how old was the girl cody was with in the car? camaguey is popular for the prostitution. was her age a factor?

[Ali Rasheed]

I am wondering if we get the same respons from Canadians if he had a middle easten name.

[nico spm]

I am so saddened by this story and I feel for Cody and his family. The even sadder truth is that Canadians are going to Cuba for vacation at their own risk year after year.

Just because a quick and speedy investigation and trial is the norm here in Canada, doesn't mean it is the norm anywhere else and we really do overlook that when it comes to a "blissful" few days of sun and sand in Cuba. The Canadian government has no jurisdiction in Cuba, so they have to get in line and follow a process when dealing with the Cuban government.

I would highlight this as an isoloated incident, but nonetheless very strong reason to NOT vacation there. Not everyone likes to get political? Then stay away - do not give a communist regime your hard earned tax dollars.

Smarten up Canadians, just because we are allowed to go to Cuba doesn't mean that we SHOULD go.

[jim seller]

Roy :
as did one other of your listeners did ,i also stopped at my local mp's office this afternoon . i was not impressed by steven fletcher's e.a.'s political doubletalk .
the bottom line here is that these are ordinary canadian citizens who desparately need the help of the political strength of the canadian govt. , never mind the diplomatic side .
i cringe to think of something similar happening to me or my family in a foreign land and not getting any help in a timely manner .
in the end , we as canadians can certainly remember this come election time and can also remember this when booking vacations , votes and $$$ count , but unfortunately this will not benefit cody quickly enough .

thank goodness media professionals like you and adler have taken up his cause .keep up the excellent work and get this kid home . i will be contacting harpers office next .

sincerely ,
jim seller

[HAA]

Cody was with 3 adults. Did any of them consider the rules of the country? To say that he didn't know that he had to be 21 seems a little lame to me.
I don't agree with him having to stay in Cuba and face charges for a motor vehicle accident - however, he did break the law and if you are going to go to a foreign country be prepared - do your homework - everyone has access to the internet and information on foreign countries - ignorance is never a defense!

[george in Alberta.]

This situation remains unbelievable!
It is appalling that Diane Finlay has sat on her butt and done nothing on this thing. The situation you mentioned with Jason Kenney while he was trying to get the Brenda Martin lady released was an honest, earnest effort by a member of the Cdn. Parliament that actually worked. In this case, Diane Finley seems to be doing nothing!! I hope Canadians remember that at the time of the next election. And, Kenney did succeed, but in order to Finlay to succeed she has to first make some effort!!! And, she seems incapable of even doing that. I sincerely hope Canadians remember that at the time of the next election!! Let's get Cody out of there! I cannot believe that Canadian politicians like Finlay are sitting on their butts and doing nothing!!! The situation is deplorable. Ms. Finlay...either do something, or Resign!!! Thanks for your effort, Roy. Cheers, George.