Revolution Made The Five''s Return Possible, Cuban Hero Says

The antiterrorist fighter Antonio Guerrero reaffirmed here on Saturday the greatness of the Cuban Revolution, which made the Five''s return home possible, after being unjustly held in US prisons for more than 15 years. Speaking to Cuban students from several Russian universities, Guerrero noted the importance of understanding the validity of fighting to preserve the gains and achievements of the revolutionary deed that triumphed on January 1, 1959.

The antiterrorist fighter returned to Cuba on December 17, 2004, along with Gerardo Hernandez and Ramon Labañino, after being held in US prisons for 16 years for trying to prevent violent actions organized on US territory against their country, although they did not violate US national security, as was proved in the trial.

Previously, Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez had returned home, after serving their prison sentences entirely. The cause of the Cuban Five, as they became known internationally in world campaigns for their release, brought together several Russian political and social sectors to demand their release.

Thanks to the Revolution we have hospitals, schools and universities in all corners of the island. It is a good fortune we Cubans have and it is worth defending it and fighting for it, stressed the Hero of the Republic of Cuba, a title granted to him on February 24, 2015, by President Raul Castro, as an acknowledgement of their examples of valor, integrity and resistance.

According to Guerrero, all Cubans, and particularly youths, must be clear about today's world and what they must do for collective benefit, he said, making emphasis on the commitment to Cuba.

On Saturday, Guerrero laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin's Walls, a tribute to those he considered the true heroes in the defense of the then Soviet Union against the fascist invasion (1941-1945).

The first thing we did when we arrived in Russia was to pay tribute to a Cuban who gave his life for this country during the Great Patriotic War, said Guerrero in reference to Aldo Vivo, a young Cuban who was killed in one of the combats to break Leningrad's blockade.

Cuban Ambassador Emilio Lozada thanked the Five on behalf of the entire Cuban Embassy in Russia for "those 16 years of reclusion during which they represented the Homeland, Fidel and Raul with dignity," he noted.

Lozada noted that Guerrero and his four compatriots are heroes of our time who embodied the various generations of national heroes and revolutionaries who made the triumph of the Revolution possible.

Today, they represent the young generation which the Revolution trusts to achieve new goals and carry out the tasks of our socialist project, the Cuban diplomat underlined.

During his first visit to Russia after being released a year ago, Guerrero met with leaders of the State Duma, the Council of the Federation (Senate), the Foreign Ministry and the solidarity movement with Cuba and the Five.