Nuria Barbosa León

Iniciatives to mobilize popular support for the freedom of Cuban anti-terrorists unjustly imprisoned in the United States will be increased, according to activists, intellectuals, parliamentarians, union members, religious figures and many others meeting in Havana for the 10th International Colloquium in Solidarity with the Cuban Five and Against Terrorism.

More than 300 delegates from 49 countries on all of the world’s continents heard reports on actions which have taken place, and plans being formulated to demand freedom for Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino and Antonio Guerrero, who were arrested September 12, 1998, along with René González and Fernando González, now free after completing their sentences in full.

Participants agreed to implement an action plan which will increase the number of efforts made to disseminate the truth about the case, and strengthen unity among those working to free the anti-terrorists, who were sent to prison for monitoring anti-Cuban groups based in South Florida, in an attempt to save human lives.

Granma International conversed with several delegates. Jamaican writer, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, Keith Ellis, reaffirmed his opposition to the injustice committed by the U.S. government, and said, "I have had the opportunity to translate to the English language texts written by each of the Cuban compañeros in their cells, and I recognize their moral stature. In their words, they express the justness of their cause, but nevertheless, the U.S. justice system failed to provide due process."

Tamara Hansen, from the city of Vancouver, also in Canada, said that a movement has emerged there to write poems and messages to express personal feelings about the case, which are read at the monthly pickets her group holds every fifth of the month, in front of the U.S. consulate.

Journalist Max Lesnisk, a Cuban resident in the United States, reported that, in the events organized by the Alianza Martiana and other groups in the Miami area, including caravans across the city, public support has been noted, adding, "People greets us affectionately, as if to say: We are with you. We know that Miami is a city controlled by the right-wing media of Cuban origin, nevertheless, knowledge of the irregularities committed in this case has increased."

Lesnik continued, "To my surprise, in the first issue of Revista Réplica, which was just published a month ago, there was a picture of the Five and an announcement demanding their freedom… We perceived an attitude of respect and consideration, from a group which does not ideologically favor the Revolution."

Two national deputies from Argentina attended the Colloquium, plus another legislator and several union leaders. Captain Oscar Verón insisted that motivation is high to continue the battle to free the Cuban anti-terrorists, saying, "We take advantage of opportunities in union assemblies, women’s forums, academic and parliamentary events, to present our demand for justice."

The Venezuelan delegation was led by three deputies, including Augusto Montiel, who said, "These meetings serve to unify our points of view, coordinate efforts, energy and objectives to undertake tasks, and plan actions."

The event was closed with a concert on the University of Havana’s Grand Stairway, with Cuban Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, in attendance.