During the Round Table television program, presenter Randy Alonso said that the trial against Posada Carriles, who has to answer to 11 charges —but none of them for terrorism—, continued on Tuesday in El Paso, Texas, with the second day of the jury selection.

He noted that out of the 12 juries selected, seven are women and five, men. He added that nine are descendants of Hispanics, one is an Afro-American, and two are Anglo-Saxons.

Speaking over the phone from El Paso, lawyer Jose Pertierra said that the defense and the prosecution are scheduled to speak on Wednesday. He added that the prosecutor warned the Judge that Posada Carriles’ defense will try to influence the jury with an ill-intentioned description of Cuba’s political system.

Pertierra noted that the Judge responded to this that the Court is not a forum of the Miami Herald newspaper and that any evidence could be questioned, including the one presented by Cuba.

According to news reports, two Cuban officers and a forensic scientist from the island are expected to testify in the trial at the request of the defense and the prosecution in relation to the investigation into the death of Italian tourist Fabio Di Celmo, a victim of a terrorist attack on Havana’s Copacabana hotel.

During the Round Table program, Brigadier General Alberto Rabeiro explained that, on April 12, 1997, Salvadoran mercenaries —following orders by Posada Carriles— began a series of bomb attacks against tourist facilities, including hotels and restaurants, in Havana and also against Cuban interests in Mexico and Nassau, which resulted in one death and several wounded people.

Rabeiro added that the US authorities have always been informed of these terrorist actions and that Cuba has always been willing to cooperate with Washington in the fight against terrorism. In this regard, he showed copies of four files that have been delivered to US experts.

Analyst Jean-Guy Allard said that many of those who sponsor and finance terrorist actions against Cuba, such as Jose ‘Pepe’ Hernandez, Ramon Novo Sampol and others, remain active in Miami.

Posada Carriles is accused of perjury, obstruction of justice, fraud in naturalization procedures and false statements in relation to migratory proceedings. He entered US territory illegally in April, 2005, after being pardoned by former Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso, five days before leaving office.

The trial is expected to last a month.