A Cuban Hero Turns 48 Behind US Bars / Ramón cumple 48 años

LEANDRO MACEO LEYVA

Today, June 9, Ramón Labañino turns 48 years old. And as it has been happening during the last 12 years, he is spending this special date behind the bars of injustice. Ramón is one of the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters serving extremely long and unfair sentences in US high security prisons.

All these years, women and men worldwide have been calling for his freedom and the release of his four comrades: Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez.

These five men, known as the Cuban Five or the Miami Five were framed and arrested by FBI agents in 1998 for having infiltrated Florida-based ultra-right organizations that have undertaken terrorist actions against Cuba over the past 50 years. A bias trial in the US city of Miami gave them their long sentences in an Anti-Cuba and hostile environment.

Ramón did not wake up today to the warm and embrace of his family, but he is not alone either, and he knows that well. Although his family is not around him to kiss and hug him in another birthday, his country proudly watches him grow as a hero.

Although held in prisons far from Cuba, the Five are examples that prevail alive in every action, idea or in any achievement that Cuba makes towards their definitive liberation. At present, international campaigns demand their immediate release.

Next June 11-13 some 180 representatives of 36 nations of the world will hold the 3rd International Encounter in Solidarity with the Cuban Five in Havana. The forum will provide space for delegates and relatives of the Five to exchange views on details relevant to the legal process and the world campaign demanding the release of the Cuban antiterrorist fighters. The forum will be on-line at www.foros.cubava.cu while it will be fully covered in blogs and social networks.,

Family, friends and the Cuban people keep them in mind, feel their ordeal as their own and see them in all the greatness coming out of their spirit and sacrifice.

GRANMA
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Ramón cumple 48 años

Leandro Maceo Leyva

Este 9 de junio Ramón Labañino está cumpliendo 48 años de edad. Al igual que en sus últimos 12 aniversarios, pasará las horas tras las rejas de la injusticia.

Al otro lado de los barrotes que lo encarcelan no faltan hombres y mujeres en el mundo que se interesen por exigir su libertad y la de sus cuatro compañeros.

Los Cinco, a pesar de estar alejados físicamente de su Patria la recorren cada día, en cada acción, cada idea, cada logro que se alcanza con vistas a su definitiva liberación.

Familiares, amigos, y pueblo en general de esta Isla grande los mantienen presentes, sienten su dolor como propio y los imaginan cual la grandeza de su espíritu y entrega.

Ramón hoy no tendrá un amanecer cálido, ni familiar, pero no despertará solo, y es consciente de ello.

En el beso y el abrazo anhelado que no podrá recibir de sus seres queridos, y en la Patria que lo contempla orgullosa, continúa creciendo el héroe.

GRANMA