"We were aware that we were paying for being revolutionaries"

By Hernando Calvo Ospina

I saw them coming. The appointment was in the Plaza de Armas, the side of The Temple, in Old Havana. I never thought I would reach. His step was slow, carefree. They wanted to look around and repair. It was as if they wanted to explore the city. As if they were the most dedicated tourists.

I wanted to meet him but gave up when I looked around. Many eyes were opened inflated, as believing it was them. Then a woman came up to them, and touched to find that themselves were. It was launched in hugs. They walked a few steps and three other young men came to greet them. But most were content to admire them. They received with the greatest tenderness and affection watching those shows.

After hearing a version of Guantanamera, adapted to the “Five Heroes” for three buskers at last they reached the place of rendezvous. Yes I went there. Better, I went straight to hugFernando . We melted into a hug as very few have given and I received from a man. My admiration for his noble work and years spent in prison were in mine. After I greeted his wife, Aurora Rosa Freijanes. I did not know who to greet first: René , the other free anti-terrorism, or his wife Olga, with whom he had had the opportunity to share a moment months ago. I think the first hugged her. At that time I noticed a lady was unnoticed: Elizabeth Palmeiro, wife of Ramón Labañino , one of the Cuban Five who is still paying wrongful conviction in the United States.

Dominique Leduc, secretary general of the Association France-Cuba solidarity was more than surprised. I had invited without precisarle what it was.

It was very windy, which made it very difficult to shoot in the street. So I asked the hotel management to allow me to interview them in the small courtyard. Just told those who were treated immediately agreed: “It’s a great honor for us to host our Heroes”.He had not turned his back to go in his quest, when I heard the news began to spread among the workers. “This town owes much,” I heard from a good man black leather, very excited.

Fernando was sitting there for questioning. Before Roberto Chile,the renowned Cuban cameraman, gave the green light to film watched and wondered: how can be so humble, as humans, when on every corner and present home to Cuba!?

“The guards woke me up at one in the morning of Thursday 27 February. Then I chained hands, waist and feet, and took me 3h30 prison Safford (Arizona). Allegedly was released, but right there in the door, it was stopped by immigration authorities. And I took a very guarded motorcade to the city of Phoenix. Then to Miami … The operation lasted about 36 hours. I was always handcuffed, and amid a large security operation that surprised me.

Even on the plane that brought me to Cuba brought wives, but were plastic, which cut the plane when the door opened at the Jose Marti airport in Havana. As I found myself at this time. “

How you behaved prisoners? Did you know who you were?

At the beginning it was more a prisoner. But little by little it was becoming known case due to international solidarity. Solidarity organizations in the United States succeeded in some alternative television channels informed us. In addition, we received reading materials shared with the other prisoners. This was attracting attention, and so they realized that we were people with a different thought. Then they came to talk of Cuba, the Revolution.

Been prisoner fifteen years five months and fifteen days. Was it a punishment that was given to Fernando Gonzalez?

Since the beginning of this process we were aware that we were paying for being Cuban revolutionaries. Being implement efforts for the people of Cuba, to the Revolution, and even the American people, because we avoid terrorist actions that might have affected him.

The punishment was not against me, against us was a need for revenge for their hatred against a revolutionary process against a story. And so we assume.

How do you feel about Cuba?

I feel good free, and not just something out of a prison regime. I have that freedom denied me in the U.S.. Here I have the freedom to do what I want, including political freedom. Is that in the United States is not free of thought, because they have many mechanisms to control and manipulate the minds of people.

There are three Cuban Five in prison …

We owe a debt of gratitude to all the friends in the world for what they have done for our freedom. But we still have much to do, because we are not satisfied that Ramon and Antonio meet his judgment and the meet and René. Doing so would mean that Gary never returned. So friends of solidarity in the world must continue to press for the three out and return as soon as possible.

Do you feel that the Revolution and the Cuban people you met?

I met. We met. But I never had doubts. We were clear about what our responsibility, and we should resist. We were aware that publicly or not, we would have the support of the Revolution, the people of Cuba. And this includes many Cuban residents in the United States and the world. One day he decided that defending and supporting the Five became public. That was a political decision. But even if it had not happened, we knew we were not going to be alone.

Translation: http://cubainsidetheworld.wordpress...