The Cuban Community in The Gambia, in collaboration with some Gambians, on Thursday, held a solidarity meeting at the School of Medicine hall in Banjul, to express their condemnation over the decision by the United States authorities to jail five prominent Cubans eight years ago.

The five Cubans, Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Ramon Labanio were reportedly arrested on September 12th 1998 in the United State on charges of conspiration and murder which were said to be false charges.

Addressing the gathering, Carlos M Salsamedi, Cuban Ambassador to The Gambia, said the five Cubans were working against criminals like Posado Curriles, to prevent   heinous plans against Cuba.

Ambassador Salsamedi condemned the imprisonment of the these five men, saying “such outrageous decision from United States authorities is being denounced in many corners of the world. One proof of which is the statement made last Friday by the 118 members of Non- Aligned Movement”.

“Although this process has to go through judiciary channels, but it is not a legal process but clearly a political process and that is why the solidarity and the International Solidarity is essential,” he added.
According to Ambassador Salsamendi, over 30  meetings were held in The Gambia (from Banjul to Basse) in April, adding that these meetings buttresses the bond of friendship between The Gambia and Cuba.
Ambassador Salsamendi described the meeting as the final one in The Gambia in the solidarity campaign for the five Cubans, as part of the worldwide youth campaign.

For his part, Momodou Lamin Jammeh of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) Solidarity Group, urged the various groups campaigning for the release of the five Cubans to implement the observations of the meetings as a way of strongly condemning the United States’ actions.

Other speakers at the gathering included Boy Camara and other students of medicine students.