The Demand is Heard Around the World: Free the Cuban Five!

Havana, Sep 11. – With rallies, meetings, vigils, and statements, activists, solidarity organizations and even government bodies around the world are demanding the release of the Cuban Five, antiterrorist fighters unjustly imprisoned in the United States for the last 12 years.

They were arrested on September 12, 1998, and falsely charged with espionage when actually they were monitoring violent groups in South Florida to prevent terrorist attacks against Cuba, and the American people.

In a letter to President Barack Obama, the New Zealand National Committee to Free the Five urged him to prove his commitment to human rights and international law by releasing the Five.

The New Zealand organization also asked Obama to grant a presidential pardon to Gerardo Hernandez, Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino, Rene Gonzalez and Antonio Guerrero, and to grant visas to Adriana Perez and Olga Salanueva, spouses of Gerardo and Rene, respectively.

The 12-year imprisonment of those men and the refusal of granting entry visas to the two wives will only contribute to further damaging the international reputation of the United States, the letter said.

Meanwhile, the Uruguayan Coordinating Committee to Free the Cuban Five organized a rally on Friday to demand their release.

Members of 20 Cuba solidarity organizations will participate in the rally in downtown Montevideo starting at 19:00 local time, from City Hall to Libertad Plaza.

The coordinating committee called on all Uruguayan left-wing forces to participate in the demonstration in solidarity with Cuba and the Five.(Prensa Latina)