Farewell to Rosa Aurora Freijanes, devoted fighter for the return of the Cuban Five
She is recalled as a cheerful, revolutionary woman, admired by all who knew her

Yisell Rodríguez Milánjanuary 13, 2021 08:01:28

Rosa Aurora Freijanes. Photo: Twitter
“Rosa Aurora Freijanes, Rosita, who – like the warrior she always was – fought for her health over the last few years, died January 10. The Five of us owe a great deal of our freedom to her, and will remember her always. Rest in peace, sister,” wrote anti-terrorist hero Gerardo Hernández Nordelo on his social media accounts.

Rosa Aurora Freijanes was married to Fernando González Llort, one of the Cuban Five. On multiple occasions, she strongly denounced the obstacles that the U.S. government imposed on her visits to see Fernando and the rigged judicial process that convicted him and his brothers.

Journalist Arleen Rodriguez Derivet commented on Facebook: “A quintessential Cuban woman has left us, a woman with a strong soul and delicate health, transparent and sweet as her blue eyes. Rosa Aurora Freijanes Coca spoke, even without speaking, with her intelligent and clear, honest and sympathetic look. She had a sharp sense of humor and a tender and firm sense of affection and friendship. She fled from cameras and microphones, from lights and mirrors.

“She knew no vanity even when the world revered her as one of the spouses of the Five. But once she accepted the challenge of going up to a podium to explain the truth about Cuba, she moved the audience to tears with her sincere words, with the deep tenderness of her heart.

Rosa Aurora (left) with Elizabeth Palmeiro, Olga Salanueva and Adriana Pérez, her sisters in the struggle for the freedom of the Cuban Five. Photo: Yander Zamora
“She was the mother who could not be of her beloved nephews and the daughters and sons of her friends: Adriana Pérez, Olga Salanueva and Elizabeth Palmeiro, her sisters in the struggle for the freedom of the Five.

“I reached out to them, to her loving sister Mary and the rest of her family, the heartfelt embrace of those of us who knew, admired and loved that girl who was always cheerful, even in the midst of the worst circumstances, especially when the chords of her favorite songs were playing (Tu fantasma or Rosana) with the guitar and voice of their creator, Silvio Rodríguez.”

Honors for Cuba’s eternal father, Fidel
In Santiago de Cuba’s legendary Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, a representative group of provincial leaders honored Fidel, founding father Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and our José Martí, on behalf of the Cuban people

Eduardo Palomaresjune 22, 2020 09:06:39

Two floral wreaths from Raúl and Díaz-Canel were placed before the monumental boulder that holds the ashes of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, on the occasion of Fathers Day.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.— Floral wreaths from Army General Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez were placed before the monumental boulder in Santa Ifigenia Cemetery that holds the ashes of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, on the occasion of Fathers Day, conveying the sentiment of a people who, in these days of battle, turn to the legacy of our eternal father, sure of victory.

Lazaro Expósito and Beatriz Johnson led the tribute in Santiago de Cuba’s legendary Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
Lazaro Expósito Canto and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, members of the Party Central Committee and the highest authorities of the Provincial Defense Council, assumed the task, on a morning when, the tribute offered on behalf of the Cuban people was extended to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and José Martí, as well.

This reverence was also present in a message from President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who congratulated Cuban fathers, tweeting, “In a nation of worthy fathers who defeated two empires, fatherhood is a source of pride.”

Authorities of the Provincial Defense Council honored the country’s founding father, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
In another message to Cuban medical professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic in more than 20 countries, the President stated: “My first greeting this Sunday, Fathers Day, is for the doctors and nurses of the Henry Reeve brigade, who left behind the embrace of their children to kiss to the world, where there is the most suffering,” in a reference to the Buena Fe song Valientes.

Vilma in reborn today in the struggles of Cuban women
Flowers for Vilma Espín Guillois from her comrade in arms and companion in life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, crowned the tribute to the heroine before the monumental boulder that holds her ashes, on the 13th anniversary of her physical disappearance

Eduardo Palomaresjune 19, 2020 09:06:00

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
SEGUNDO FRENTE, Santiago de Cuba.— A floral wreath to Vilma Espín Guillois sent by her comrade in arms and companion in life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, crowned the tribute to the heroine of the guerrilla and clandestine struggle before the monumental boulder that holds her ashes, on the 13th anniversary of her physical disappearance, June 18.

Teresa Amarelle Boué, member of the Party Political Bureau and secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), had the honor of placing the flowers beside the monument in the Frank País Eastern Front Mausoleum, while a wreath was added by Leyanis Riquelmes Batista, president of the Municipal Defense Council, in the name of the Cuban people.

Vilma was also remembered by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who tweeted: “With Vilma in times of combat. Vilma, always present.” Highlighting the legacy of the eternal President of the FMC, the President quoted, in another tweet, a comment by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz: “Vilma’s words are always intelligent, serene, revolutionary and sweet.”

During the tribute in these mountains, where after 14 months of difficult underground clandestine work Vilma joined the armed struggle, Amarelle insisted that she is reborn today in the determination of Cuban women to fight and win the COVID-19 battle, increase local production of food, and boost the country’s economy.

Joining Amarelle were Party Central Committee members Lazaro Expósito Canto Party and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, president and vice-president of the Provincial Defense Council, as well as Brigadier General Agustín Peña Porres, head of the Eastern Army, who brought roses to honor this extraordinary Cuban woman.

The courageous are welcomed with pride
Towns arcross the country, spirited residents greeted Cuban doctors and nurses returning home after supporting the COVID-19 battle in Italy

National news staff June 22, 2020 14:06:10

Cuba was obliged to wait a while to embrace our heroes, who spent two weeks in quarantine before heading home.

Photo: Radio Guantánamo
In several towns around the country, spirited residents greeted health professionals from the Henry Reeve contingent returning home after supporting the COVID-19 battle in the Italian province of Lombardia.

Cuba was obliged to wait to embrace our heroes in white lab coats, who spent two weeks in quarantine after returning from Italy, before heading to their neighborhoods and communities for a warm welcome.

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Ronniel Montejo Aldana, a pulmonologist, described the experience in Lombardy as unforgettable.

It was very satisfying, encouraging in all ways, something that will be on our minds for a long time, stated the young doctor, who works at the Mario Muñoz Monroy Military Hospital in Matanzas.

During the welcome he received at provincial government headquarters and, especially in his neighborhood, in the Guanabana People’s Council, Montejo shared the satisfaction he feels having saved the lives of a people in need, who sought the help of Cuban doctors.

He recalled several anecdotes to illustrate the struggle against the deadly epidemic in that country, where today the people are grateful for the solidarity of a small nation like Cuba, blockaded by the United States government.

They are extremely affectionate when they talk about Cubans and our altruism, the doctor reported, emphasizing that they worked hard but always had the support and gratitude of the population.

Maikel Manuel Hernández Hernández, another doctor from Matanzas who offered his services in Italy, also received an emotional greeting organized to honor him in his hometown of Calimete.

Moved by gratitude to Cuban medicine and the moral strength of our professionals, more than a few residents of the neighborhood could not hold back the tears. Dozens extended their arms to embrace Maikel, to show their affection and respect.

The willingness to travel again to any place on the planet that needs Cuban medical collaboration was reiterated in Santa Clara by the three nurses from Villa Clara who confronted the new coronavirus in Lombardy, and were welcomed home by Yudi Rodriguez Hernandez, president of the Provincial Defense Council. Continue reading The courageous are welcomed with pride →