Ramón Labañino salutes René González’ presence in Cuba

WASHINGTON, May 7.—Ramón Labañino, one of the Cuban anti-terrorists sentenced and incarcerated in the United States, stated that the presence of René González in his homeland “is as if part of us is already home.”

After hearing the news that Judge Joan Lenard agreed on May 3 to modify the conditions of René’s probation and allow him to remain in Cuba in exchange for renouncing his U.S. citizenship, Labañino sent a message from Ashland penitentiary, Kentucky.

“It was certainly time after so much delay and injustice,” he affirmed.

Labañino, sentenced in 2001 to life plus 18 years in prison, and re-sentenced in 2009 to 30 years, said that he, together with Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González, feel more at ease knowing that the life of their compañero is no longer in danger, “surrounded by threats, which we know something about.”

Labañino stated with optimism that, sooner rather than later, the rest of the group will return to their homeland. “René is our advance guard. He brings the embrace and affection of the Five to all of you.”

“The Five are with him. In every action that he undertakes for the good of Cuba and humanity, in his new responsibilities and tasks, in his new missions and dreams. There he will be until finally, the Five of us will find ourselves free in the land we love so much,” he added.

“We are overjoyed. Love and truth always overcome injustice,” he emphasizes in the message, circulated by the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5. (PL)

GRANMA