Cuba Five Condecoration Has Repercussions on Venezuela

Cuba Five Condecoration Has Repercussions on Venezuela

Caracas, Feb 26 – The condecoration as Heroes of the Republic of Cuba to the Cuban Five that were imprisoned in the United States for alerting the island on plans by violent groups in Miami, has had repercussion today in Venezuelan media.

The YVKE World Radio website of Venezuela stresses among its front page’s headlines: “Raul Castro decorates Cuban Five” and also issued an extensive gallery of photos about the issue.

On the other hand, “Ciudad Caracas” newspaper headlines “Raul Castro Grants Heroes Title to Cuban Five,” and reproduces the speech by Gerardo Hernandez after receiving the order.

Venezolana de Television state-owned channel also echoed the news, as well as Radio del Sur station and Correo del Orinoco daily.

The Cuban Five, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez, were detained in Miami on September 12, 1998 and condemned to harsh sentences, including double life term to the former.

Of them, Rene Gonzalez returned to Cuba in May 2013, after complying with 13 years of imprisonment and resigned his U.S. citizenship, while Fernando Gonzalez returned in March 2014, after completing his sentence.

On the other hand, Hernandez, Labañino and Guerrero were released on December 17, in correspondence with an agreement between the governments of Havana and Washington, to make progresses towards the normalization of ties between both countries.

Cuba President Raul Castro delivered the title of Heroes and the Playa Giron Order at an act held at the Havana’s Conference Center.

Meanwhile, the Council of State bestowed them the Playa Giron Order at the request of the Cuban statesman.

Shortly after being released, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sent a letter to the Cuban Five, expressing his happiness with their return to the island and homes, and regain their freedom.

They also sent a letter to Maduro, expressing their support to the Bolivarian revolutionary process and their wish to visit the Mountain Barracks, in Caracas, to pay tribute to late leader Hugo Chavez.

Source: Prensa Latina