The Five Heroes in the Collective Memory of the People of Guáimaro

Dec, 2025.- In a gathering filled with emotion and a sense of community, the residents of block committee number three, located in the popular council of Guáimaro Norte, recalled the years of imprisonment of the Cuban Five anti-terrorist heroes: Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, and René González.

Arrested in 1998 and sentenced in 2001 following a trial held in Miami, the Five received severe sentences—including life imprisonment and terms of up to 19 years—for monitoring anti-Cuban organizations based in Florida.

During the event, neighbors, students, and workers remembered the statements from December 2001, when the heroes denounced the irregularities of the judicial process and reaffirmed their commitment to defending national sovereignty.

The attendees emphasized that, despite the harsh conditions of imprisonment, these men of proven loyalty maintained an attitude of steadfastness, selflessness, and resistance, becoming symbols of dignity for an entire nation that did not rest until achieving their return home.

The collective memory also revives the intense international campaign that, from Cuba and other countries, demanded for more than a decade the release of the prisoners. Thousands of voices rose in acts, marches, and declarations until the heroes’ definitive return to their homeland was achieved.

In Guáimaro, participants highlighted that the story of the Five is not only a part of the past, but constitutes a living example of unity and perseverance. “They demonstrated that truth and justice can prevail even in the most adverse circumstances,” expressed Roberto Campos Ortíz, one of the organizers of the tribute.

Once again, it was made clear that the feat of the Cuban Five anti-terrorist heroes lives on in the national memory as a symbol of resilience against external hostility. Their example inspires new generations, who recognize in them the strength of solidarity and the commitment to the defense and sovereignty of the country that today proudly looks upon them. (Photo taken from the Internet)