AP 'covers' attack on Cuban Dissident

Reinaldo Escobar is reported to have been attacked by a pro-Castro mob today upon arriving at the street corner where he had challenged state security agents to a 'verbal duel'. The story is still emerging in spurts through blogs, and even though correspondents from CNN, NBC and the BBC were reportedly present only El Nuevo Herald and the AP have reported anything thus far.

Mr. Escobar was attempting to establish an honest dialogue with the State Security Agents he has accused of beating up Yoani Sanchez, the renowned Cuban blogger and his wife.

The AP version of the story offers many details but it's stunning how it slips in a defense of Castro's infamous State Security Agents. Here's what the AP unabashedly claimed: “Usually, state security gives opposition activists a ride home after a few minutes to keep things from getting too violent.”

Usually? How many other repressive acts, if any, has the AP covered in Cuba the past year?

The AP evidently believes that Castro's State Security tries to protect activists from violence? How many activists have told them this? What are their names, when did they say it and where is it published?

El Nuevo Herald has published this photo gallery.