Cuban Five to visit Namibia

The five Cuban national heroes, who were imprisoned in American prisons for espionage, will visit Namibia this week after touring South Africa. Rene Gonzales, Ramon Labanino, Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzales are all decorated with the honorary title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba and will visit the Land of the Brave to express support for the country’s role in raising international solidarity with their plight. Namibian leaders like former President Hifikepunye Pohamba have used international platforms to call for the release of the Cuban Five, who were arrested and convicted in the US in 1998 for espionage. The last three of the former Cuban intelligence operatives were found guilty of spying on the US government and were released in a prisoner swap last year. At a media briefing yesterday, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Permanent Secretary, Mbueta Ua-Ndjarakana, said the Cuban Five will touch down at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Friday and will attend a welcoming dinner organised by Swapo that evening. On Saturday, they are expected to pay a courtesy call on President Hage Geingob at State House and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. They will also have a public solidarity meeting at the UN Plaza in Katutura with friends of Cuba, Namibians who studied in Cuba, as well as Cuban nationals in Namibia. On Sunday, they will visit the Hero’s Acre, before they are treated to lunch by Founding President Sam Nujoma at his Etunda farm outside Otavi. On Monday they will attend a session of the National Council in Windhoek, before leaving the country. WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER