Cuban Five Send Message to the Island 

Havana, January 3 (ACN) Five Cubans unjustly held as political prisoners in the United States for fighting terrorism congratulated their compatriots on the 48^th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. 

In their message, the Cuban Five: Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Rene Gonzalez, said they are happy and optimistic with all the solidarity received from friends from around the world and also in witnessing the strength of the Revolution.   

The note published in Monday’s official Granma daily adds that “2007 will be a year of new and decisive victories.” 

The message included a poem written by Antonio Guerrero to President Fidel Castro highlighting his tireless work in leading the Cuban Revolution.  

Fernando Gonzalez expresses that the Cuban people celebrate “another year of advances, victories and dreams,” with optimism that 2007 will “strengthen all aspects of the Revolution.  

The Cuban Five also thanked the Cuban people for accompanying them in their struggle for justice, freedom and truth and for fighting for a better Homeland and Humanity. 

They also stressed in their message that they are confident of the Cuban leader’s full recovery adding, “Fidel will continue alongside us working for this beautiful Revolution.”  

The Cuban Five were arrested in 1998, individually accused of a wide array of fabricated charges. However, the facts showed they were totally devoted to collecting information about terrorist actions against Cuba being plotted in southern Florida.  

Although the prosecution failed to present convincing evidence against them, the Cuban 5 were convicted in 2001, and subsequently given harsh sentences ranging from 15 years in jail to double life imprisonment. Their long appeal process continues in 2007.