A part of our nation - rusted among 16 years behind bars - has been restituted. The return of our three heroes: Gerardo, Antonio and Ramón was a huge expression that we can not renounce to collective efforts, and the hope and faith of our leaders. Those who quit have nothing. Those who carry on achieve their goals. Fidel promised this and so they came back. 

The speech by Raúl announcing the news was an unexpected gift for the Cuban people before Christmas, year ending and the Revolution´s new anniversary. Saint Lazarus gave us a special gift. The country was really happy when knowing the news. Women, men, children everyone were so happy that there was a mixture of tears and smiles (while across the strait, following a previsible script, the Batista followers were irated across from Versailles and Marquitos Rubio, a fascist senator from the Tea Party who was furious against Obama´s bravest action throughout his political career.

Then, at night, the first images showed them along with Raúl, their families, wives and children, at their family graves, with their neighbours. They strengthen their ties with their country, their nice people and these heroes that one day were prepared to defend their country until the last consequence.

The return of the three heroes remaining in the USA was the result of an extraordinary struggle by the Cuban people, its leaders and countless organizations and international institutions that made a common cause with ours. We would like to thank the Uruguayan president Pepe Mujica, Alicia Jrapko, the Pope and the Canadian government. We would like to thank Fidel in the first place, the great architect and Raúl, as well as the untiring fighter Ricardo Alarcón. We would like to thank the fight of so many Cuban.

This untiring fight was very important to free our heroes, to which a monument should be erected to ay a tribute to their resistance. There were many real situations for them to give in because the injustice against them was explicit but they showed their stirp. They fed from the courage of their country and never sold their dignity. They acted as many other Cubans that offered their lives so that our country could remain honored. They are followers of our deepest historic traditions from Gómez, Maceo, and Martí. Our five heroes fed their thinking from the reference of these collosus that were a compass to help them follow their heroic actions. They also followed the example of our Commander in Chief: a father, a guide, a comrade, a watchman.

Our heroes deserve a chant like that of Mío Cid. And more, films, series, videogames, to reinforce the patriotic identity and to validate our proud for our banners and emblems and the unique premise of having our history in our hands. The Cuban five are our most recent chapter in our national history. Their release is a victory for the common citizens of this world and the validation of how ideas are so important and why they have to be protected as a major treasure.

While announcing their release our president also announced another important news for Cuba, Latin America and the world. Cuba and the United States would reestablish their diplomatic relations. Washington also recognized that its policy against Cuba was a failure. The US was also surpassed by the recent events in which Cuba turned to be a reference in solidarity and generosity in the current struggle against ebola in Africa.

The editorials in a row published by the USA´s major newspaper seemed to foresee a change in the game by the White House, although there were many how didn´t believe such approaching would be like this. This actions by Obama foresee the end of the USA embargo on Cuba, which is an unproductive policy that harms both, Cuba and the USA as well and which has been repelled every year at the UN by most of the states of the world. This fact was an important key - due to the USA´s growing international isolation - to facilitate the reestablishing of the diplomatic relations which were broken since 1961 under Kennedy´s presidency.

Cinco Héroes, regreso y restablecimiento, Ilustración: Fabián Sotolongo

Cuba achieves this victory without giving up its principles. From now on there is much to be done and a new path of understanding regarding our difference and under the nontransferable respect to our sovereignty. For the moment, we will be removed from the list of terrorist countries (although we have been put there since 1982 by mere whim) and the economical cooperation will be immediately started as well as a moderate trade and communication exchange while the remission amount will be extended.

 During the next months will be opened the respective embassies as well as high level government and official visits beginning with that of the assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere will lead the US delegation on next Immigration talks to take place in Havana on January 2015.  It is also important in this context the revaluation of the legal term "cash in advance" which will help in giving a more efficient financing to the authorized traded between Cuba and the USA and to eliminate the current Draconian trade option in products like chicken.

This is a news that continues to evolve and grow. An incredible event, it is a turning point in the relations between both countries and a motivation for Cubans to feel very happy. Congratulation Cuba!

(Taken from UNEAC´s webpage)

Translated by: Osmany Ortiz González (Azurina)