Just spoke to Danette in Cuba

Monday morning, just before 9 and I spoke to Danette a few minutes ago.

Today and tomorrow are Cuban holidays so everything remains static until Wednesday when Cody and Danette are to meet yet again with the lawyer the Cuban government required them to hire.  Yet more cost they cannot afford.

To date, by estimate, this Cuban vacation purchased as a graduation gift for Cody in April has totalled about $30,000 as Cuba continues to bill Danette for each day Cody is detained.

Diane Finley's assistant called Danette last Thursday, indicating Cody and Danette's member of parliament and federal cabinet minister wished to speak with them.  Since then nothing more. 

If Ms. Finley does in fact contact Danette it will be only the second time in more than three months of this crisis for the LeCompte's that she has done so.  

Since Ms. Finley's husband was among Prime Minster Harper's most recent appointees to the Senate, perhaps the Senator might engage his considerable resources and political skills (campaign manager for the Prime Minister's elections) as well?  

We can only hope they are quietly involved in this activity now.

Emails continue to pour in and I'm reading each one.  There are just too many for me reply, but know that I'm passing on your determination to see Cody return to Canada to both Cody and his Mom.

Post your thoughts and support here.  Cody and Danette are reading all the postings and they will be sending their thoughts later today.  I will post their words on this blog.

Quite a few emails declare plans to visit Cuba have been set aside, so it would appear in the best interests of the Cuban government to create a scenario to allow Cody to return home.  What exactly is the plan when Danette literally runs out of money? 

Remember that in the posting immediately before this one there is information on a trust account set up in Cody's name where you may make  a contribution to help the family. 

Will keep you updated as I find out more.

To post your thoughts scroll to the bottom of this page, click on "comments" which takes you to the next page at the bottom of which you'll find a box where you may share your views.

Several Facebook pages supporting Cody have been set up.  Listener Kevin McCart (former Canadian military) created one such Facebook page. 

Sara Landriault also has 'support Cody' options on her Facebook page.   There are others as well and you know how to find them.

Comments

[Danette LeCompte]

Hello Canada! I am Cody's mom, Danette. First of all, I would like to say "thank you" so much to everyone for all their support. It is amazing to us how many Canadians are so caring and willing to help! Cody reads the comments on here regularly and this is what gives him the strength to get through his days.

I want to let you know how traumatized Cody has been by this ordeal. He is a very frightened 19-year old boy. He has trouble sleeping at night and is very quiet and afraid. He does not eat properly and is not the son I came down to Cuba with. As a mother, I am very concerned for his well-being. I am praying that this ordeal ends soon so Cody can get back to a "normal" life. He misses his friends and family. He is very much hoping to get to College as planned in September for an aviation course that has been his life-long dream (but that may not happen at this point). He has missed his summer employment which he was going to use to defray his schooling costs.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for everything you are doing to help get my son home quickly and safely. I urge you to continue to contact your member of parliament and demand that they intercede to bring Cody home where he belongs! Also, please keep posting on the blogs. If the government receives enough pressure, they may do something.

I will also follow up next week on how things are progressing and let you know how Cody is doing.

On behalf of myself and my son, thank you so much for being there for us! We want to get back to Canada please!!!

[Gary Parmenter]

Hello I am the uncle of Cody LeCompte and I flew to Cuba last week to provide familial support to my ailing nephew and to help out Danette in any way I can. As many of you may know there is no adult male in Cody's life with the passing of his father some years ago.

There have been a number of comments on this web site indicating that Cody was under 21 and was driving illegally in ths country.

Now that I am here I have checked this out. The driving age in Cuba is 18 so he was not operating a motor vehicle illegally. The 21 issue arises in that the rental companies require you to be 21. This is not much difference than in Canada where it can goes as high as 25. We have passed on to the Cuban lawyer our copy of the rental agreement that clearly shows him as the 19 year old operator.

I have been to the rental agency here in Cuba which is right in the hotel. They are pushing vehicles at unsuspecting tourists and there is no signage indicating the risks involved. As I was not known to the rental operator I approached inquiring into rental I asked the operator what happens about accidents, He replied in broken english no problem you buy the extra insurance and there is no issues.

Well I think we can see now where that is not the truth.

Our government appears to be taking a do nothing stance depending on their posting on the web site to absolve themselves of responsiblity. They must do much more to warn Canadians so that no others have to go through this painful ordeal.

Please keep writing your MP and post on any blogs you find. Please help to get Cody home.

Gary

[Frank and Pat McKinnon]

Our hearts and prayers are going out to Cody and his Mother. Like most people in Canada we cannot understand why the Government is so reluctant to get involved. This is such a travesty. Let it never happen to one of their children.

[Nancy Mogle]

Hi Roy and Charles

Thank you for your tenacity and willingness to help this poor family. I have sent an email to Wboth canadian t Airlines hoping they would use their influence down there to help set this young man free. May I suggest you publicly call on Airlines, Tour Operators and other businesses that profit from Cuban bound passengers to exercise their muscle to put some pressure on the Cuban Resorts they bring unsuspecting Canadian Tourist to week after week after week.

It is good that individuals are cancelling their Cuba Vacation plans but perhaps a more coordinated effort by the airlines would have a bigger impact.

Everyone is continuing to profit from Canadians travelling to Cuban while this poor family continues to suffer.

If our government is to week to do it then let's call on our Canadian Companies to be good corporate cititzens and get the job done.

Cody is in my prayers.

[Frank and Pat McKinnon]

We are concerned and not very happy what is happening to Cody and his Mother. They are in our hearts and prayers and we know that it will all work out. We cannot believe that our Government of Canada is not helping in anyway. Hopefully it will never happen to their children.

[Laurie]

Hi Danette,
as a mother of a 19 year old college student I can only imagine the fear, anguish and concern for your child. I'm truly sorry that this is happening to you.
Hi Cody, don't let this get you down. You have your dream and I know it will happen.
I have written to Ms Finlay a couple of times and even my MP and the Cuban embassy. No response. However, I have not given up. I pass this story along to everyone I know and I encourage everyone to do something. I am truly embarrassed that our government is allowing this happen when they know full well what is going on. My thoughts are with you. Roy, thanks again for posting and letting everyone know what's going on.

[Marg Lamb]

Dear Cody, Danette & Family:

We wanted to let you know that we are working hard to get the word out there to Canadian local and Federal Government Offices and to the Canadian public in general in hope for your speedy return.

We are nauseated and appalled at Cuba's ability to detain an innocent auto accident victim being you.

Please know that we think of you each and every day. Let each of our voices and messages give you the strength and encouragement to endure. We are committed to you Cody !

God Bless
Marg & Dave Lamb

[Kevin]

Dear Cody and Danette,

Support continues to roll in on the facebook page Bring Cody Lecompte Home. We are up to 2500 members and the comments and discussions do not stop. I am confident that through everyones' efforts we will force action, and see you all safely home soon.
I will not quit, I will not relent. Keep doing what your doing, people are listening.
Your story was just aired on Global and I expect that more networks will follow.

Kevin McCart

[Earl Levasseur]

Dear Cody and Danette

We have been following the news about your ordeal. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We know that you are a hard working young man,as your grandmother was real proud of you and all you had acclomplished, She spoke of you many times to us. We know that she is up in heaven watching over you and your mom. Just keep believing that this will all work out for you. You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel yet but you will.

We will be putting in a prayer request at our church on Sunday which is Brantford Worship Centre. That is one thing that we truly believe in and that is the power of prayer. It is not in our time but in The Lords time. Remember that youd dad believed as well. When you feel you can not take it any longer just call out to your Heavenly Father, He is just waiting for you to call on Him.

May you feel the Peace of Jesus Christ,the peace that surpasses all peace'

Earl & Becky Levasseur

[Anne Heyes]

I believe that Minister Finley should negotiate a 'free get out of jail card' for Cody. Let the Cuban government swallow the charges and all potential visitors should be encouraged to forget Cuba and go to another perhaps safer destination like Hawaii! And further to that in some way the Cuban government should know how much money they are losing because of the lack of tourists

[Laurie Butter]

Danette and Cody:

We love you and we miss you. We want you home where you belong.
Today I read an article in the Sun by Chris Doucette entitled “Musician helps family of teen trapped in Cuba.” A young Cambridge musician named Dylan James has heard Cody’s story and is donating all the proceeds from iTunes of his single Mysterious to help you.
What an unbelievable thing for a perfect stranger to do! It makes you realize that there are still really good people in this world!

I know this story will put a smile on your face.

Stay strong and take care of each other.

Love you both,
Laurie