While at Havana’s Colon Cemetery, where the funeral service took place, the Cuban head of state spoke on the telephone to the Gerardo’s wife, Adriana Pérez, who is now in Spain as part of the international struggle for the release of these five Heroes of the Republic of Cuba.

Raul conveyed to Adriana the condolences of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and the embrace of the people of Cuba, and underlined: “We know you’re very firm and that you’ll remain that way.”

During an exchange with the press, Raul expressed, very moved, that this moment was especially hard for Gerardo, and highlighted the firmness and courage of this Hero of the Republic of Cuba, and also the values of his companions, Rene Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Ramón Labañino.

Carmen Nordelo died on Monday afternoon, at the age of 76.Until her state of health allowed her to, she actively participated in the campaign to publicize to the world the truth about the case of The Five, and to promote the demand for a
fair trial for those who prevented the carrying out of terrorist acts against Cuba.

While speaking at the funeral service, journalist Arleen Rodriguez pointed out that Carmen always resisted all blows in the struggle for the release of her son and of his four brothers imprisoned in the United States.

Today, she added, we’re burying Carmen Nordelo, who was presented with the Mariana Grajales Order for her heroism and determination, and because when asked if she was feeling lonely she said she wasn’t because “her son is the people and the people accompany her.”

Stop this unjust punishment, stop this senseless cruelty; let Gerardo return home, not because it’s good for him but because is the legal thing to do, underlined Rodriguez.

Gerardo Hernandez is serving two life imprisonments plus 15 years in a maximum security prison in the United States.