Bios of the Five



Gerardo Hernández "Ours may be one of the most ridiculous accusations of espionage in the history of this country." Gerardo Hernández Nordelo was born in Havana on June 4, 1965. In 1989 he graduated with a degree in International Political Relations. While in school he participated in amateur festivals as part of a theater group and also as a cartoonist-humorist. In 1989 Hernández served as part of the Cuban forces in Angola against the invading South African apartheid regime. He distinguished himself in 54 combat missions and was awarded a medal of honor. Hernández has had his drawings published since 1982 and displayed in gallery exhibitions. His book of caricatures and humor, "You Can Achieve Everything with Love and Humor" was published in 2002. He has been married since 1988 to Adriana Pérez O'Connor. She has been continually denied entry to the United States by U.S. authorities and has not been able to see her husband in more than 15 years. Hernández was sentenced to two life terms plus 15 years and is in U.S.P. Victorville, California. He was granted clemency by President Barack Obama and released on Dec. 17, 2014.

Antonio Guerrero "... My beloved brothers and I must be unjustly kept in prison, but there we shall not cease from defending the cause and the principles we have embraced." Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez was born in the city of Miami on October 16, 1958. His parents were both from Cuba and immediately after the initiation of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, they returned to Cuba. In 1983 Guerrero graduated as airfield construction engineer in Kiev, Ukraine. The expansion of the Santiago de Cuba International Airport was the most important work in which he was involved. Guerrero is a poet and has penned a considerable number of poems, a selection of which has been published in English and Spanish under the title "Desde Mi Altura" (From My Altitude). Guerrero has become an accomplished artist and his art and poetry can be viewed on this website. He has two sons, 27-year-old Antonio, and 22-year-old Gabriel. Tony was originally sentenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years, and was resentenced to 21 years and 10 months at the end of 2009. He was granted clemency by President Barack Obama and released on Dec. 17, 2014.

Ramon Labañino "If preventing the deaths of innocent human beings ... and preventing a senseless invasion of Cuba is the reason I am being sentenced today, then let that sentence be welcomed." Ramón Labañino Salazar was born in Havana on June 9, 1963. Even in primary school he distinguished himself, with responsibility supervising younger students. He graduated from high school in Marianao, Havana, where he earned various distinctions including diplomas as an outstanding and advanced student. In 1986, Labañino graduated as an economist from the University of Havana, graduating with first class honors. At the university, he was very active in all sport activities and participated in the All-Caribbean games. In June 1990 Labañino married Elizabeth Palmeiro Casado, and has two daughters with her, 21-year-old Laura, and 16-year-old Lisbet. He also has another daughter, Ailí, 25, from a previous marriage. Ramón was originally sentenced to life plus 18 years, and was resentenced to 30 years at the end of 2009. He was granted clemency by President Barack Obama and released on Dec. 17, 2014.

Fernando González "... I simply want to reiterate that at no time did I endanger the national security of the United States, nor was this ever my intent, or that of my comrades." Fernando González Llort was born in Havana on August 18, 1963. In 1981 he graduated with high honors from high school in the Island of Youth. In 1987 he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in International Political Relations under the Ministry of Superior Education and received a Gold Diploma. While in school, González had various leadership roles in the Federation of University Students (FEU). He participated in the promotion of cultural events and in theater festivals. From 1987 to 1989, González served as part of the internationalist Cuban brigade that fought to preserve Angola's independence against the invading South African apartheid regime. He was awarded a medal of honor for bravery. González is married to Rosa Aurora Freijanes Coca. Fernando was originally sentenced to 19 years in prison, and was resentenced to 17 years and 9 months at the end of 2009. He was released from prison on Feb. 27, 2014, and returned to Cuba the following day.

René González "Our trial was converted into a propaganda campaign by the prosecutors, stirring up prejudices against Cuba among the jurors, to achieve a conviction." René González Sehwerert was born in Chicago, on August 13, 1956. He grew up in a workingclass family that immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. In 1961 his parents returned to Cuba with their two sons. From 1977 to 1979, González served in Angola and was decorated for bravery. From 1979 to 1982 he studied aviation and graduated as a pilot and flight instructor. He married Olga Salanueva Arango. They have two daughters, 29-year-old Irma, and 15-year-old Ivette. In 1998, a few months before his arrest, Ivette was born. René's wife Olga has been banned entry to the U.S. by U.S. authorities.René González was released from Marianna Federal Correctional Institution in Florida, on Oct. 7, 2011 after serving more than 13 years. However, Judge Lenard ordered him to serve a 3-year probation in the United States. On May 5, 2013, while René was on a court-approved 2-week trip to Cuba for his father's memorial service, the court finally allowed René to remain in Cuba after renouncing his U.S. citizenship. Home | News Archives | Legal Front | Downloads | Audio | Video | Contact Us | Store/Donate