White House to Cuba: Release Alan Gross

The Obama administration is again calling on Cuba to release U.S. government subcontractor Alan Gross, as the fifth anniversary of his imprisonment passes on Wednesday.

"Five years ago today, Alan Gross was arrested for his efforts to help ordinary Cuban citizens have greater access to information through the Internet," said a statement from White House press secretary Josh Earnest. "The administration remains focused on securing Alan's freedom from a Cuban prison, and returning him safely to his wife and children, where he belongs."

Cuba arrested Gross for trying to set up an Internet access system while working as a subcontractor with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Cuba, which regards USAID programs as attempts to undermine its communist government, sentenced Gross to 15 years in prison.

"We remain deeply concerned for Alan's health, and reiterate our call for his release," Earnest said. "The Cuban government's release of Alan on humanitarian grounds would remove an impediment to more constructive relations between the United States and Cuba."