Alan Gross, 61, from Maryland, was arrested by the Cuban authorities on December 3, 2009.  HE WAS RECENTLY TRIED AND FOUND GUILTY. SENTENCING WILL TAKE PLACE IN MARCH. Under a subcontract from USAID, he was providing electronic and Internet equipment to members of the Jewish community. After more than a year he has not been charged with any crime.  It appears that he was being used as a pawn in US-Cuban relations.  Clearly the Cubans have not been happy with the USAID Democracy Workers Program created by the Bush Administration. His detention is in violation of international law.  The State Department, Congressional leaders and leaders around the world have asked that he be released for humanitarian reasons.  His health is poor and his daughter is being treated for breast cancer.

A petition with 400 names, including 50 rabbis, was presented to the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 2010 but was not accepted.