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‘Cuban Five’ 16th anniversary…Injustice, embargo still affecting Cuba to date
– Guyana Solidarity Movement
Today (September 12th, 2014) marks the 16th anniversary of the arrest of the ‘Cuban Five’ – Gerardo Hernández,
Halim Khan
Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, and René González – who were convicted in Miami of conspiracy to commit espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, acting as an agent of a foreign government, and other illegal activities in the United States.
Critics and sympathizers insisted that the men were protecting Cuba from U.S.-sponsored terrorist actions.
According to President of the Guyana Solidarity Movement with Cuba, Halim Khan, calls are being made for President Donald Ramotar to reiterate sentiments for the release of the three men – Hernández, Guerrero and Labañino – who are still in US custody.
Khan explained that Mr. Ramotar is scheduled to visit the UN and upon that visit, requests should also be made for the embargo to be lifted on Cuba.
“Guyanese and all Parliamentarians should lend their support by way of sending letters to US President Obama to release the three,” Khan explained.
He further said that all around the world, solidarity activists are adding their voices to the international campaign for the men’s freedom.
“We stand in solidarity with the committees in the U.S. and abroad that have been fighting relentlessly for the liberation of the Cuban Five. Our contribution to the struggle is not just a moral one. We will continue fighting until Antonio, Ramón and Gerardo are free.” Khan emphasised.
“The year 2014 has seen the realisation of many actions in support of the campaign for the release of the anti-terrorist heroes. Among them, the most important having been the Commission of Inquiry in the case of the Cuban Five held in London, and the meeting in Washington, DC, ‘Five Days for The Five.”
Khan further explained that for the second time this year, the British government, undoubtedly in support of the U.S. government, denied an entry visa to Cuban Five hero René González, who was scheduled to speak in Liverpool and London this week to mark the 16th anniversary of the Cuban Five’s “unjust arrest by the FBI”.
According to Khan, on Sept. 12, 1998, a heavily-armed FBI SWAT team arrested the members of the Cuban intelligence network in Miami. The five agents were tried, convicted and sentenced to long prison terms, including one double life sentence, plus 15 years.
René González was released on October 7, 2011 following the completion of 13 years of his sentence with a further 3 years of probation in the US. He was allowed to return to Cuba for his father’s funeral on 22 April 2013, and a federal judge allowed him to stay there provided that he renounce his United States citizenship.
Fernando González was released from Safford Federal Prison on February 27 this year, after serving his entire sentence. He was deported to Cuba.
Over 350 committees have been established in the United States and around the world, demanding immediate freedom of the Cuban Five.
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