What is Libertad?

It is a political thriller that envisions a conspiratorial relationship between the U.S. and Cuban governments. The action is centered around some of the people who get in the way.

Cuba and the United States have essentially been enemies for close to 50 years. How realistic is the premise?

Part of this conspiracy involves Cuba’s role as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics entering the U.S. market. That is a fact. Federal prosecutors were prepared to indict Raul Castro in 1993 before being overruled by the Clinton justice department. A convicted Columbian drug lord, Carlos Lehder, testified in a 1991 federal trial that he met with Raul Castro in Havana twice to arrange safe passage for cocaine flights over Cuban airspace. The U.S. Congress has held hearings and taken testimony on these matters.

And the other part of the conspiracy?

It involves something else we also saw in the 1990s with another communist country not closely aligned with the U.S.

It is fair to say this book is not flattering toward Cuba and Castro?

Cuba has been ruled by a Communist dictator for well over 40 years. Cuba has the largest per capita prison system in the world. Cuba has laws criminalizing free expression. Cuban citizens continue risking their lives on open waters to leave the island. Those are facts too. If they are not flattering to Cuba and Castro, it is what it is.

But it is also not flattering to the U.S. government. Well, it’s not flattering to a few corrupt characters motivated by power and greed. Mack Olen also works for the government. He’s a pretty good guy trying to do the right thing, without much regard to how it will affect him.

Was the intention in writing this book to make a statement about either government?

Not at all. There is a lot of back story on Cuban-U.S. relations, but the intention was to write a thriller that had a basis in truth and a premise that was believable. Politics are the backdrop for what is happening and why. The action centers around the characters and the constant battle of wits, agendas, and ulterior motives they are fighting.

The characters of Pete Stephen and Ryder Westcott find themselves in one dire circumstance after another. How were they conceived?

Pete and Ryder are the ones caught in this. They are victims of everything swirling around them. But they are just trying to survive. It was important they be authentic and sympathetic but never come off looking like baby action heroes.

Were Pete and Ryder, or Mack Olen, based on anyone in particular?

No. And not that any formula was followed writing this book, but it basically boils down to what most writers do with any type of thriller—start with likable characters, get them in trouble, and then get them out. Hopefully with Libertad, readers will find characters they identify with and are rooting for, the setup, pacing, and plotting will keep them turning pages, and readers will be pleased with the resolution and feel like they have just read a good book.