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Champion of solidarity
Nuria Barbosa León
All
those who visit Bogotá’s central Plaza Bolívar in
Colombia, on a Sunday afternoon, will come across
Orlando Jaramillo Hernández, tireless fighter in
support of the Cuban Revolution and for the release
of the Cuban Five imprisoned in the United States.
“For
many years I have been taking my bike, leaving my
house in the neighborhood of Funza, cycling some two
hours to arrive at the famous National Park, put up
my signs and banners on one of the leafy trees, and
then continue along Seventh Street to Plaza Bolívar,
where I stay for more than one hour, explaining to
those interested all about Cuba and its heroes,”
stated Jaramillo to Granma International.
“My
interest in the Cuban Revolution began when I tuned
in to Radio Habana Cuba. I heard news that was
different from that published in the Colombian
press, which continually harasses the government of
Fidel Castro. I also saw photos in the magazine
Bohemia
and
learned about the support of the humble classes to
the process being born on the Caribbean island,
that’s why I approached people able to explain the
situation to me, I was only able to finish second
grade.”
Jaramillo doesn’t like to admit that he is carrying
out a solidarity effort because “the Cuban people
practice solidarity everyday,” referring to
education offered to Colombian students by Cuban
universities and the work of professionals in more
than 100 countries.
“I
propose that one day a year be designated Solidarity
Day, that way Cuba will have to be discussed first.
“I
load my bike with all the tools I need to make
banners, hang signs, display posters and distribute
leaflets talking about solidarity with the three
Cubans still imprisoned in the United States,” said
Jaramillo referring to Gerardo Hernández, Ramón
Labañino and Antonio Guerrero who, together with
Fernando González and René González (who have
already completed their full sentences) were
imprisoned for disrupting terrorist plans by armed
anti-Cuban groups.
“My
objective is to call attention to and make visible
in the Colombian capital, the issue of the Cuban
Revolution, so that it’s right to independence is
recognized, and the genocidal U.S. blockade ended.
In the months of July and August, I brought material
calling for an end to the brutal bombing of the Gaza
Strip by Israel. Every time I go out on my bike,
people ask me questions, take photos of me, and are
interested to know more. They ask for my contact
details. I have even appeared in the news on some
media outlet or other.”
He
ended the conversation with a message for the world,
“I would like these actions to be copied by people
in different places around the world.”
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