Cuban Residents in Brazil Back The Five

Cuban residents in Brazil reiterated their solidarity with and commitment to the struggle for the release of the five anti-terrorist Cuban fighters, unfairly held in the United States for nearly 14 years.

Members of the Brasilia chapter of the Jose Marti National Association of Cuban Residents in Brazil (ANCREB) met with relatives of The Cuban Five, who are in this capital to attend the 15th Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation.

The members of ANCREB-Jose Marti reaffirmed their firm willingness to continue the battle for the release of Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez, as well as against the holding of Rene Gonzalez in US territory despite he served his unfair, harsh sentence already.

The Cuban Five, as they are known worldwide, were arrested on September 12, 1998, and in an irregular trial held in Miami were given unfair, harsh sentences for warning Cuba of terrorist actions planned by Florida-based groups.

In the meeting, Adriana Perez, the wife of Gerardo, and Aili Labanino, a daughter of Ramon’s, the members of ANCREB-Jose Marti said their statutes precisely highlight the duty to fight for the release and return home of The Cuban Five. Adriana and Aili also met with Cubans in official missions in Brazil.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Embassy of Cuba in Brazil, Anita Prestes, the daughter of Communist, internationalist fighters Carlos Prestes and Olga Benario, called for stepped up solidarity to saving the lives of The Cuban Five.

She notes that despite protests worldwide, US President Barack Obama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, holds in prison four Cuban heroes and prevents Rene Gonzalez from finally returning home despite having served his unfair sentence.

“As daughter of Luiz Carlos Prestes and Olga Benario, two internationalist heroes, I have witnessed the unvaluable nature of international solidarity to save the victims of fascist repression and hatred,” says her statement.

(Taken from PL)