On April 3, 2003, trials of dissidents rounded up in last month’s widely criticized Cuban crackdown, began in Havana. The first 80 dissidents began trial, some of whom face sentences of life imprisonment. The defendants are labeled as traitors by Cuban officials, and are allegedly accused of counterrevolutionary activity, though no specific charges have been made public. US representatives condemn the trials, and threaten that such actions jeopardize any efforts to encourage future US-Cuban relations. Tension increased this week, as numerous hijackings of transport to the US from Cuba were attempted. For more on the hijackings see LACIC's link Cuban Hijacking Attempts.