Menendez, who faces 14 charges by the prosecution, based his request this Monday under the criterion that almost none of the accusations occurred in the Northeastern territory that he represents in the Upper House.

The senator also noted that while the process is being developed in the capital this facilitate his work in the capitol and in that way he would not have to abandon his duties to attend the appointments impose by the judicial authorities.

He added that if the trial was held in New Jersey there would have more chance that the members of the Jury do not have the level of fairness required to conduct a fair trial.

The official indictment of the Government against Menendez, issued on April 1, ensures that he did political favors to his friend and fund donor, Salomon Mengen, a wealthy ophthalmologist of Florida, whose lawyers also requested the change of venue for the process against his client.

This businessman, who faces 76 charges of corruption, financed the stay of the legislator on a ‘five star’ hotel in Paris, France, for three days in a presidential suite costing $ 1,600 per night, plus several visits to Dominican Republic, and granted more than 750,000 dollars in campaign contributions.

According to the Government incriminating text, the democrat Senator allegedly aided Mengen and even intervened on behalf of his friend in a dispute bills of Medicare for millions of dollars, and helped him get preference in contracts for installing security systems in Dominican ports.

He also facilitated visas for brides of the entrepreneur: a Ukrainian, another Brazilian and a Dominican.

Menendez, who cleared innocent of these charges, is of Cuban origin and is vehemently opposed to the decision of President Barack Obama to restore diplomatic relations with the island and create conditions for normalization of bilateral ties.

The federal prosecutor’s office has not yet ruled on the request of Menendez and Mengens lawyers to change the venue of the investigation.

(Prensa Latina)

Photos: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita‘s first performance in Washington DC was extraordinary. The audience began arriving at the Kay Chapel at American University at 5:30 p.m. even though the performance was not to begin until 7. People of all ages arrived along with plenty of children. The chapel filled up. Two young parents with their small children came from New Jersey, driving four hours to attend the event because they’d been unable to see the troupe when it was in New York.

Afterwards, La Colmenita received a standing ovation as a measure of the audience’s appreciation for such a beautiful performance. There were also plenty of tears in the eyes of the audience as the story of the Cuban Five and the injustice of their case was told.

Upon leaving, many people approached the information table asking, “But who are the Cuban Five?” taken totally by surprise after seeing a play about some heroes, without knowing who they were or having ever heard of them.

The evening ended with another surprise, a phone call from Rene González, that lasted almost an hour, and where he was able to talk with each of the children from La Colmenita as well as with the adults. The children passed the telephone to each other and if that were not excitement enough, they performed “El Mayor” [by Cuban songwriter Silvio Rodríguez] for René, accompanied by a guitar played by one of the troupe members.

Today the children spent their free time as tourists in Washington, visiting museums, playing, enjoying themselves. On Monday they will visit a school and on Wednesday they will perform at the Duke Ellington school, in Washington. The tour goes on…

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

Federico. La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

Federico. La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

Carlos Alberto Cremata. La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

Carolina. La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

La Colmenita, performing "Abracadabra" at American University, Washington DC. Photo: Bill Hackwell

Singing "El Mayor" to Rene. Photo: Bill Hackwell