Sixteenth anniversary for Cuban Five being observed in Guyana

Halim-KhanGeorgetown: Today (September 12th, 2014) will mark the 16th anniversary of the arrest of the ‘Cuban 5’ that   were incarcerated for 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 three of the five prisoners held in US custody.

He explained that the President is set to visit the UN council 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 five,” Khan explained.

He further said all around the world, solidarity activists are adding their voices to the international campaign for the Freedom of the Cuban 5.

“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 have been the Commission of Inquiry in the Case of the Cuban Five held in London, and The III 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, has denied an entry visa to Cuban Five hero René González. René who is scheduled to speak in Liverpool and London this week to mark the 16th anniversary of the Cuban Five's unjust arrest by the FBI.

On Sept. 12, 1998, a heavily armed FBI SWAT team arrested the members of the Cuban intelligence network in Miami. They were Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino Salazar, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, and Rene Gonzalez Schewerert. This is a political case and the Cuban Five are political prisoners. The five agents were tried under hostile circumstances and convicted on low-bar charges of “conspiracy to commit” everything from espionage to murder and sentenced to impossibly long prison terms, including one double life sentence, plus 15 years.

However, to date Fernando González Llort was released from Safford Federal Prison after serving his entire sentence. He was deported to Cuba. Also released after serving his full time was René González.

Over 350 committees have been established in the United States and around the world, demanding immediate freedom of the Cuban Five.