Ozzie Guillen Suspended 5 Games for Castro Comments
The Florida Marlins have suspended manager Ozzie Guillen five games over comments he made regarding controversial Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
In a move that preceded a Tuesday morning press conference, the Marlin's organization released a statement which highlighted the seriousness of Guillen's words.
"The Miami Marlins announced today the suspension of manager Ozzie Guillen for five games effective immediately. The Marlins acknowledged the seriousness of the comments attributed to Guillen. The pain and suffering caused by Fidel Castro cannot be minimized, especially in a community filled with victims of the dictatorship," the statement read.
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The uproar Guillen sparked was over an article that was published recently in Time magazine in which Guillen spoke about the respect he had for Castor being able to stay in power for more than 60 years.
"I respect Fidel Castro," Guillen said in the article. "You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that son of a b---- is still there."
During the press conference, Guillen offered his apology and expressed remorse to anyone he may have offended with his comments.
Guillen said he had "betrayed a Latin community" and that he was speaking to "ask for forgiveness with my heart in my hand … I'm very, very, very sorry. I will do everything in my power to make it better."
Guillen stated that the confusion over his comments was due to the translation from Spanish to English during the interview. Guillen explained that he first spoke of Castro in Spanish and "the translation to English was a bit confusing."
To settle worries of the local Latin population, Guillen stated that he would do anything that he could to support members of this community.
"I live in Miami, my family is in Miami … I will do everything in my power ... to help this community like I always do," Guillen said.
