CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

The Five are a genuine expression of the values that emanate from our youth

- Raúl said at the burial of Carmen Nordelo, mother of Gerardo Hernández Nordelo

CUBA, November 4, 2009. ON the morning of November 3, Cuban President Raúl Castro attended the burial of Carmen Nordelo Tejera, mother of Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, and one of the five anti-terrorist fighters unjustly imprisoned in U.S. jails.

Talking to the press beforehand, Raúl emotionally expressed his admiration for Gerardo and stated that this case is an example of great injustice.

He also said that the Five are a genuine expression of the values that emanate from our youth and emphasized the strength and courage that they have shown over these years of cruel captivity.

In a soft voice, the General of the Army recognized that this is a very difficult moment for Gerardo because "mothers are passion and not reason," he said.

At the end of the funeral, journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet spoke about the modesty of Carmen, awarded the "Mariana Grajales Order for her heroism," and a woman who, when asked if she felt alone, responded that she did not because "her son is the people and the people accompany her." These same people attended the funeral to give her one last goodbye.

After the ceremony was over, Raúl spoke over the phone with Gerardo’s wife, Adriana Pérez O’Connor, who is currently in Spain with René’s wife Olga Salanueva Arango as part of an international tour to support the release of the Five.

During the conversation, the second secretary of the Party relayed "a hug from Fidel," feelings of respect for Gerardo and for his comrades Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez, Ramón Labañino Salazar, René González Sehwerert y Fernando González Llort, and words of strength for her: "We know that you are very strong and that you will stay that way."

Also attending the funeral were Political Bureau members Esteban Lazo Hernández, vice president of the Council of State, and Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power. Víctor Gaute, member of the secretariat; Central Committee members Lázara Mercedes López Acea, first secretary of the Party in Havana, Jorge Risquet Valdés, and Rolando Alfonso Borges, head of the Central Committee’s Ideological Department; family members of the five, and other important officials were also present.

Carmen died on Monday afternoon in Havana. The flowers placed on her coffin included bouquets from Fidel and Raúl, one in the name of all Cubans, and one of red flowers completing Gerardo’s expressed desire with his dedication "To Mamucha from your little boy and Adri." (Cubaminrex- Granma Internacional)

<< Back