Mirta
Rodriguez and Magali Llort, the mothers of Antonio Guerrero and
Fernando Gonzalez, respectively, told the almost 270 members of the
South American Brigade of Voluntary Work now on the island that this
year is of great significance in the struggle for the release of
from prison of the Cuban Five, as they’re known internationally.
In view of the imminent exhaustion of appeals in this case, it only
remains for defense lawyers to apply for a writ of habeas corpus,
which they plan to resort to in June, so only international
solidarity will be able to achieve the release of these five men,
they assured.
For more than 11 years now, Antonio and Fernando, as well as Gerardo
Hernandez, Ramón Labañino and Rene Gonzalez, are serving harsh and
unjust sentences, as a consequence of a biased trial that ended in
2001, held in Miami, Florida, where the terrorist groups these men
were monitoring, operate.
A member of the Brazilian delegation made reference to some of the
actions carried out in Rio de Janeiro, among them the sending of
letters to US senators by trade union representatives, and the
creation of a committee of parliamentarians in favor of The Five.
Argentinean Cecilia Martinez, who visits Cuba for the seventh time,
told ACN about her solidarity with this cause.
Young Chilean Tamara Contreras defended Cuba’s legitimate right to
defend itself from its enemies operating in US territory, something
for which these men were fighting for.
In view of the need of making the just nature of this cause known,
she called for an increase in the spreading of the truth about this
case, for which several organizations are working in Chile, by way
of their publications, the use of information technologies, and the
carrying out of demonstrations and rallies.
Argentinean professor Marcos Candelino criticized the silence of the
press with regard to unusual events like the recent climbing of the
Aconcagua –the highest mountain in The Americas-by young
mountaineers who put a flag on its peak as a symbol of their demand
for the release of The Five.
The
Brigade, in Cuba since January 24, will conclude on Sunday its
activities on the island, among which voluntary agricultural work,
visits to places of historical interest, and meetings with
representatives of mass organizations, stand out.
