The Cuban Five were arrested in 1998, after The Cuban Government made complaints to American Authorities, and these men would be convicted in 2001. Fernando Gonzalez was sentenced to 19 Years In Prison, Rene Gonzalez was sentenced to 15 Years In Prison, Antonio Guerrero & Ramon Labañino were each sentenced to Life In Prison, and Gerardo Hernandez received TWO Life Sentences. Since then, supporters from around the world have been calling for their release. Never believing that it would actually happen, their freedom was delivered in December 2014-when Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino & Gerardo Hernandez were swapped for an american contractor imprisoned for spying in Cuba. Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez had already been released and deported back to Cuba in 2013 & 2014. Since then the brothers have toured the world being honored as HEROES They Are in South Africa, Venezuela, Ecuador, Belgium and other places. Most recently, they were honored on a week long tour of Bolivia in commemoration of the 48 Year Anniversary of Assassination of Che Guevara (under the personal invite of President Evo Morales).
We often discuss the persecution of our Black Freedom Fighters & Political Prisoners; but we must also add on with the stories of our Latin & Asian Partners in the struggle against Imperialism.
For more information on the Cuban Five, check out these websites:
http://wlrn.org/post/was-miami-trial-cuban-five-fair
http://www.freethefive.org/
http://consortiumnews.com/2013/09/13/the-cuban-five-case-at-15-years/
SOURCES:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/12/17/meet-the-cuban-five-at-the-center-of-the-blockbuster-u-s-announcement-on-cuba/
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Cuban-Five-Pay-Tribute-to-Che-Guevara-in-Bolivia-20151007-0008.html