#Cuba -The Tourism-Repression Correlation

Capitol Hill Cubans

According to Castro's state media, at least 2.64 million foreign tourists arrived in Cuba from January to September of this year, an increase of 8.4 percent against the same period in 2010.

In September alone, 142,322 tourists visited Cuba, a 5.8 percent increase over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, there have been at least 2,784 political arrests in Cuba from January to September of this year, an increase of 128 percent against the same period in 2010.

In September alone, there were at least 563 political arrests, a 525 percent increase over the same period last year.

What happened to the argument that an increase in travelers would help protect pro-democracy activists?

It's actually the contrary effect -- their silence (and hard currency) breeds even more oppression.