Commentary: Congressman Pearce issued the following statement after he introduced legislation that would prohibit using Federal funds to accept commercial flight plans to travel between the United States and Cuba:
“Next week, the President will visit Cuba for the first time since announcing he is seeking to normalize relations. However, though our nations have two bilateral extradition treaties, over 70 known fugitives from justice are still hiding in Cuba. The U.S. must stand for justice long before economic concerns. In 1971, Charles Hill, along with two accomplices, allegedly shot and killed New Mexico State Police Officer Robert Rosenbloom, before hijacking a plane and fleeing to Cuba. Hill has been evading prosecution in the U.S. for almost half a century, while the Rosenblooms wait for justice. Until Hill and the remaining fugitives are returned to American soil to face their alleged crimes, the U.S. government should not use Federal funds to accept commercial flight plans and support tourism between our two countries,” said Congressman Pearce.
The bill received resounding support from the New Mexico State Police.
“As Chief of the New Mexico State Police, I am writing to express my strong support of the legislation that would prohibit the use of Federal funds to accept commercial flights plan for travel between the United States and Cuba until certain known fugitives are returned to the United States, in particular, Charles Hill who allegedly murdered New Mexico State Police Officer Robert Rosenbloom in 1971,” said Pete Kassetas, Chief of New Mexico State Police.
Charles Hill, allegedly murdered New Mexico State Police Office, Robert Rosenbloom, during a routine traffic stop in 1971. Hill and two accomplices, Michael Finney and Ralph Goodwin, evaded capture in the mountains for nearly three weeks before carjacking a tow truck in Albuquerque and forcing the driver at gun point, to drive them to the tarmac of the Albuquerque airport. They proceeded to hijack Trans World Airlines Flight 106 to Cuba where, President Fidel Castro granted the suspects political asylum.
“I will never forget what it was like to be one of 150 people whose lives were put at great risk because three individuals involved in the killing of a state trooper decided to hijack a plane and flee to Cuba. While I am supportive of our country’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, I also believe that we need to hold people accountable for their actions when they have committed a crime, including Charlie Hill and others currently evading justice under asylum in Cuba. As our countries work to improve relations, I am urging the Obama Administration to include the extradition of all U.S. fugitives in Cuba as part of their ongoing discussions,” said Congressman McNerney, who was a passenger on the hijacked TWA flight 106.
Recently, the United States and Cuba signed an aviation agreement that is the first step toward scheduling flights between the two nations in decades. Major airlines such as Delta, American, JetBlue, and Southwest have already applied for flights.