I must admit I have trouble feeling sympathy for Mr. Roque.

Imagine a group of anti-American Americans sneaking off to Cuba, assembling an army (with Cuban and KGB assistance) and then launching an attack on America (with Cuban air support) in which close to 300 people were killed.  

20 months jail is nothing.  Had he been an American attacking America, he would still be in prison.

Batista was a corrupt puppet - far worse than Castro and his colleagues - who exploited Cuba for the benefit of himself, his cronies and his foreign friends in that order.   I would amazed if anyone actually living in Cuba wants a return to what Mr. Roque clearly considers the good old days.