globalresearch

When Fighting Terrorism is a Crime: The Story of the Cuban Five - 10/06/14


Listen Later

For decades, groups based in Miami, Florida have launched literally hundreds of terrorist attacks against the Cuban people and Cuban Nationals. These include bombings, assassinations, and particularly boatloads of weapons sent to Cuba to be used against its citizens. It is estimated that at least 3,478 people have died, and 2,009 have been injured as a direct result of these acts of terrorism. [3]

The Cuban government, quite reasonably, sought to thwart such attacks. Five Cuban Intelligence officers: Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, and René González were dispatched to infiltrate and monitor these Miami-based groups to protect their countrymen. They did succeed in uncovering some of these plots.

On September 12, 1998, these men were arrested and indicted on a charge of Espionage Conspiracy. [4] They were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences including 17 months in solitary confinement!

Supporters of the Five argue that the trial which indicted the men was fundamentally unfair, that they have been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment and that the prosecution was politically motivated.

Two of the Five,  Fernando Gonzalez, and René Gonzalez have been freed, but the other three remain locked up. One of the men, Gerardo Hernandez, faces TWO life sentences plus a fifteen year sentence on top of that.

In this episode of the Global Research News Hour, special guest interviewer Lesley Hughes interviews Gloria La Riva, an organizer with the National Committee to Free the Five (quoted above) and the first of the five to be freed, René González.

President Obama, YES YOU CAN free the Cuban Five!

People wishing to get involved in current and ongoing solidarity efforts to free the Cuban Five, or who merely wish for more background are encouraged to visit the following sites:

www.freethefive.org

www.theCubanFive.org

There are also two important books on the subject:

 Letters of Love and Hope: The Story of the Cuban Five with an Introduction by Alice Walker [5]

What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five by Stephen Kimber [6]

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

globalresearchBy Progressive Radio Network

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

8 ratings


More shows like globalresearch

View all
What Women Must Know by Progressive Radio Network

What Women Must Know

15 Listeners

Energy Stew by Progressive Radio Network

Energy Stew

9 Listeners

Black Agenda Radio by Progressive Radio Network

Black Agenda Radio

193 Listeners

It’s All About Food by Progressive Radio Network

It’s All About Food

33 Listeners

The Natural Nurse and Dr. Z by Progressive Radio Network

The Natural Nurse and Dr. Z

13 Listeners

The Bassline by Progressive Radio Network

The Bassline

4 Listeners

Talk Back with Gary Null by Progressive Radio Network

Talk Back with Gary Null

25 Listeners

The Dr. Peter Breggin Hour by Progressive Radio Network

The Dr. Peter Breggin Hour

93 Listeners

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America by Progressive Radio Network

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

140 Listeners

Progressive Commentary Hour by Progressive Radio Network

Progressive Commentary Hour

117 Listeners