Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino and Fernando Gonzalez were arrested and given harsh sentences for monitoring anti-Cuba extremist groups in South Florida that were planning and carrying out terrorist actions against the Caribbean nation.

The awards were given to Irma Sehweret and Olga Salanueva, Rene’s mother and wife, respectively; Magalys Llort and Rosaura Freijanes, Fernando’s mother and wife; Mirta Rodriguez, Antonio’s mother; Elizabeth Palmeiro, Ramon’s wife; and Isabel Hernandez, Gerardo’s sister.

Major General Wilmer Barrientos, rector of the UNEFA, said that their institution took pride in welcoming the families of the Cuban Five. Also present at the ceremony were Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela Rogelio Polanco and
students and faculty of the UNEFA.

In a recent visit to the Venezuelan Parliament, the President of the Cuban National
Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, called the Cuban Five “the forbidden heroes,” for the corporate media has silenced their case.