International Pressure Grows, Demanding U.S. Release of the "Cuban Five" Anti-Terrorists(tune in to UhuruRadio.com Sunday for live interview with committee representative)
Freedom-loving people throughout the world are escalating the campaign for the release of Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, Rene Gonzalez and Ramon Labanino, sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. for gathering information about terrorist plots by anti-Cuban organizations in Miami, Florida.
Following decades of attacks on Cuban territory (arson, sabotage, murder, and the use of biological weapons) emanating from anti-Cuban terrorist groups in Southern Florida, and after repeated refusals by the United Nations and the US government to take corrective action to prevent such attacks, a group of unarmed volunteers from Cuba came to the United States to monitor the activities of the mercenary groups responsible for those attacks and to warn Cuba of their aggressive intentions.
In September, 1998 five of these men, three of whom had courageously served as internationalist combatants in the war of liberation in Angola, were arrested in Southern Florida by agents of the FBI. Held in isolation for months, they were eventually convicted of various charges, including conspiracy and false identity. Gerardo Hernandez was also convicted of conspiracy to commit murder for the shoot down by the Cuban Air Force within Cuban airspace of two planes of the terrorist organization Brothers to the Rescue.
The people of Cuba and others who are victims of terrorist acts by the U.S. government and groups like Brothers to the Rescue regard the Cuban Five as heroes. Demands for their release are increasing around the world:
July 21, Madrid, Spain - Supporters of the Cuban Five delivered a manifesto signed by 600 Spanish public officials demanding the release of the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters.
July 20, Managua, Nicaragua - President Daniel Ortega awarded the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters jailed in the United States with the Augusto C. Sandino Order, stating Daniel Orgega"they are an example of courage and meritorious sons of Fidel Castro, Jose Marti and Cuba." Ortega made the announcement before thousands of Nicaraguans who gathered on July 19 to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution.
July 12, Ottawa, Canada - 56 Members of Parliament signed a letter demanding justice and the release of the Cuban Five.
July 8, Panama - A meeting of regional lawmakers, with members of Parliament from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries declared it's support for the release of the Cuban Five. They also approved an extensive plan of activities to "break the wall of disinformation imposed by United States regarding the case and reinforce actions to end injustice against the Cuban Five".
The Cuban Five has also received statements of support from Namibian Minister Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Parliament members of Equatorial Guinea, and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola-Youth Movement.
Tune in to UhuruRadio.com at 13:00 U.S. Eastern Time to learn more about the case and what you can do to support international efforts against U.S. state terrorism. Read more from news and support committee sources on the web.
Author
