Cuban dissident a double agent

A top Cuban dissident has revealed herself to have been a longstanding spy for Fidel Castro's security service, infiltrated into the opposition movement.

Most Cubans knew of Aleida Godinez, but not her codename of "Agent Vilma". Her cover was blown after 78 political activists and journalists were jailed in Cuba this month for between six and 28 years for "anti-state" activities.

Godinez was secretary-general of the Cuban Independent Federation of Trade Unions and editor-in-chief of the dissident magazine Lux.

Godinez said her double life of nearly 13 years had required a "great personal sacrifice", but had resulted in a "fatal blow against subversion in Cuba".