Raul Castro gives 'Cuban 5' convicts hero's welcome

Raul Castro greets Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero on their return to Cuba Dec. 17 (Source: El Nuevo Herald, Havana, Cuba)

NEW YORK – Cuban President Raul Castro gave a heroes welcome yesterday to the three members of the “Cuban Five” released after being held in captivity in the United States since 1998.

“I am proud of you for the resistance you demonstrated, providing a valorous example for all our people,” Castro said in a reunion ceremony in which Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, and Antonio Guerrero were reunited with family members.

Also present at the reunion were the two members of the “Cuban 5” previously released. René González was released from federal prison on Oct. 7, 2011, while Fernando González completed his term Feb. 27, 2014.

The “Cuban 5” were arrested in September 1998 and convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage and conspiracy to commit murder for their undercover work as Cuban intelligence agents. They operated in a Cuban spy network known as La Red Avispa, or, in English, the Wasp Network, seeking to penetrate U.S. Southern Command and various Cuban-American, anti-Castro groups active in Miami.

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In a speech given from his Havana office, Raul Castro claimed the return of the “Cuban 5” was a fulfillment of Fidel Castro’s promise to the nation in 2001.

In the speech, Raul Castro also called for a lifting of the U.S. travel ban and trade embargo imposed against Cuba.

The Miami Herald reported the Cuban exile community in South Florida reacted with shock at President Obama’s decision to release the remaining three imprisoned members of the “Cuban 5.” Many characterized Obama’s announcement as a betrayal of their trust that the United States would continue to press for freedom in Cuba before reestablishing normal diplomatic relationships.

A Miami Herald video report shows an angry crowd of Cuban exiles protesting the decision at the Versailles Restaurant in Miami, a well-known gathering place for community.

The Miami Herald quoted Coral Gables Republican Mayor Jim Cason, a career State Department diplomat who served as head of the U.S. Interests section in Havana from 2002 to 2005, as being “very unhappy” with Obama’s decision.

“One of the three Cuban guys they’re releasing is in there for murder, convicted in a justice system that works,” Cason said.

Cason argued the decision by Cuba to return to the United States former USAID worker Alan Gross amounted to a hostage exchange that will have future adverse consequences for U.S. foreign policy.

“It will give other people around the world the idea that, 'Hey, if we take an American hostage, they might not give us money for him, but they’ll change a policy for us if we just hold out long enough,'” he said.

Raul Castro reunites “Cuban 5” in Havana, Cuba, Dec. 18. Left to Right: René González, Ramón Labañino, Gerardo Hernández, Fidel Castro, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González. (Source: El Nuevo Herald, Havana, Cuba)