State Dept. denounces blogger's beating

MIAMI, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Last week's assault on Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez is "deplorable," the U.S. State Department says.

In a strong expression of support for the Havana writer, the State Department, in a release Monday, denounced what Sanchez's supporters say was a beating administered to her and a fellow blogger by presumed state security agents in an effort to keep them away from a Havana "march against violence," El Nuevo Herald reported.

Fellow blogger Orlando Luis Pardo was also allegedly beaten, while a third blogger, Claudia Cadelo, was detained but without violence, the State Department said.

"The U.S. government strongly deplores the assault," the State Department statement said. "We have expressed to the Cuban government our deep concern ... and we are following up with inquiries to (the three bloggers) ... regarding their personal well-being and access to medical care."

El Nuevo Herald said Sanchez' husband, Reynaldo Escobar, has indicated she is walking with a crutch and suffering from a backache after being thrown head-first into a car and punched in the back by the plainclothes agents.

The newspaper said Sanchez criticizes Cuba's ruling system in her blog "Generacion Y."