A group of university students in Havana marching and chanting calls for the release of the Cuban Five.
By Yamylé Fernández Rodríguez / Radio Cadena Agramonte.
Cuba lived a thrilling moment yesterday when it emerged that with the release of U.S. government subcontractor Alan Gross, the getting out of jail of Ramon Labañino, Gerardo Hernandez and Antonio Guerrero had been moved up to December 17th, 2014. Such story rocked the island nation and the public opinion around the world as an earthquake.
Particularly, I’m very happy, so do millions of Cubans and many other friends worldwide, and it is because these 16 years of unjust imprisonment hasn’t been easy either for the family members of the Five or for the Cuban people.
For example, I think of Ramon Labañino, who could not enjoy the childhood of his three daughters for being far and locked and of his osteoarthritis that is affecting his knees for which he has even had to use a wheelchairs.
My heart swells and my eyes become damp when I imagine Tony Guerrero holding his old mother Mirtha, who always feared not having the chance to see her “Babe” free and back at home.
And same thing happens to me when I think of Gerardo, an optimistic person who retained such trait even during the most difficult times when he remained locked down in the “hole”.
What could I say about this man who has professed undying love for Adriana, small in size like a bonsai as Gerardo nicknames her, but as strong and firm as oak.
How thrilling after almost 20 years without seeing each other!
Thoughts and images stuck in my mind continuously. For instance, our leader Fidel Castro assuring that the Cuban Five would return, the people marching and chanting calls for their release, children writing letters to them, Jorgito en Camagüey leading a campaign so that Adriana and Gerardo could have many adoptive children, artists dedicating them their art…well, a sea of people in solidarity with the five antiterrorists and their relatives.
It is certain that they lost a lot time behind bars, during those many years Ramon’s mother died not knowing that her son was a hero, and Gerardo’s mother also passed away. The children of Tony, Ramon and Rene grew old without the warm hug of their fathers, whereas others will be born.
However, we all have to stare at the future now; what will happen next, we all have to focus on the year to come, on celebrating the 56th anniversary of the Revolution, and on the challenges and goals before us.
It is immense our gratitude to René Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino, Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez for their altruism, for contributing in such a way to maintain the gains of the Cuban people, and even to keep us safe from terrorism.
All I can do now is tell them: Welcome home brothers!!!
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