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Vega, a radio and TV host in the southern province of
Neuquén, Argentina, in a statement sent via e-mail, encouraged the
members of the “From the Aconcagua to the Turquino Peak”, who
listened to his words excited before travelling to the top of Cuba.
The goal of the project was to speak out on the roof
of the island, as those Patagonian youngsters, for Ramon Labanino,
Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez and Gerardo
Hernandez, unjustly incarcerated in the U.S. for defending their
people from terrorist actions of Florida-based anti-Cuban groups
based.
Two days later, and with the satisfaction of having
fulfil its goal, the group recalled the miles left behind with each
step, the resulting hunger for having had to carry only enough food
and the not so young that slowed down the ascent but never gave up.
The Argentinean brother proved himself right, when
the steep path hit the physical strength the 40 members of the
project, made up of relatives of the Cuban Five, as they are known
internationally, journalists from the Cuban News Agency, students
from the Institute of International Relations and officials from the
Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Lourdes Gonzalez, Fernando's sister, kept her
promise, “you have to be strong, you are my advanced in Turquino”,
the hero had told her over the phone just hours before heading to
the East of the country.
Santiago's message was embodied in this woman of 48
years of age: Lourdes came to the bust of Marti with tears in their
eyes, “I did for my brother,” she only managed to say before drying
her face, take her sweater with the image of the Five and ask a
photographer, “Now take my picture.”
Similarly, the Argentinean's accurate words were
reflected in Laura and Aili Labañino, daughters of Ramon, who on the
13th at eight o'clock in the night started to search, at
over a thousand meters above sea level, some weak telephone coverage
to receive a call from their father.
Ramon was able to communicate on Monday while the
motorcade was traveling back to Havana, and he became interested in
the health of his daughters and the rest of the group, “I heard him
very excited,” said Aili and concluded “he always speaks to us like
that, with great spirit”.
Labañino, who is serving a 30 years' imprisonment, invited the
project members to repeat the deed along the Cuban Five when they
return to their homeland.
With sore legs, and that feeling that you will never
return to the historic sites of the Sierra Maestra mountain range,
we all say a loud “Yes, we will be there with them sharing their
strength, convictions and principles”. That’s how battles are won.
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