Just as the 10th anniversary of the return of the Cuban Five to their homeland is being celebrated, making true the prophetic words of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz that they would return, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, held a fraternal exchange with Gerardo, Fernando, René, Ramón and Antonio, accompanied by their families.
The member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, recalled the battle of the Cuban people and many friends around the world for the release of the five fighters against terrorism, unjustly imprisoned in the United States.
For his part, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo thanked, on behalf of his brothers, the many expressions of solidarity that made his return to Cuba possible, especially from Fidel, Raúl, their families and compatriots.
Other members of the Political Bureau, the State and the Government were present at the meeting.
FAITH IN TRIUMPH AND SOLIDARITY DEFEATED INJUSTICE
Traveling between more and less, I learned that the truth / is not to the world of the lesser what it is to the world of the more; / the truth for the lesser is one more word, / that they will not miss, they are simply more.
The melody of this song, by troubadour Tony Ávila, was sung by the children of the children's group La Colmenita, as they paid tribute to those who went in search of the truth “to the world of the least”: the Cuban Five.
Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, René González and Fernando González celebrated, yesterday, the 10th anniversary of their return to Cuba, after serving long prison sentences unjustly imposed by a U.S. court.
The evening, presided over by the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, praised the courage of these men who remained loyal to the Homeland and the Revolution, and the resistance of their families.
Gerardo recalled, when speaking on behalf of the Cuban Five, Fidel Castro Ruz, who told the whole world, “when the night was darkest”, in 2001, “They will return”, and how this promise was later fulfilled by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz.
The hero acknowledged those who participated in the final negotiations for “our return to the Homeland, which was a chess game that only a Revolution like ours can play, which is proud to have faced, and not to have been brought to its knees to the greatest empire in the world. This Revolution has not surrendered nor will it ever surrender!”
He also expressed gratitude for the struggle of the united people and their fortitude, to the point that the international community showed solidarity with the cause.
Joining in this gratitude was Political Bureau member and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who claimed that their return was the “confirmation that, no matter how difficult the circumstances, as the Commander-in-Chief taught us, faith in victory and solidarity are the essential reasons for triumph.”
“The Cuban Five will continue to be a remarkable example, an exciting and close source of inspiration, and a supreme demonstration of the courage and honor of this steadfast, noble and heroic people, with the fortitude and confidence in victory,” he asserted.
Present were members of the Political Bureau Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee; Salvador Valdés Mesa, Vice President of the Republic, and Major General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, Minister of the Interior; among other leaders and guests, including friends of solidarity.
