IN recognition of their relevant merits in defense of our people’s sovereignty and right to self-determination; for being an example to our young people and of the noblest human values of fighting terrorism, of boundless love for their country and Revolution, and of the admirable resistance of revolutionaries, the Ministry of Higher Education has awarded the Cuban Education Distinction to the Cuban Five, national heroes.

Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada, member of the Political Bureau and president of the National Assembly of People’s Power, presented the Distinction to relatives of the Five during an event at the José Martí Memorial to honor teachers and professors of higher education.

"We are a nation of teachers: Varela, Mendive, Luz y Caballero, Martí..; our advisors in diverse corners of the world…; René, Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio and Fernando, exemplary teachers of dignity; our university professors, and Fidel, who has exercised with absolute pedagogical mastery the most integral political, social, and cultural teaching we have ever known," affirmed Miguel Díaz-Canel, member of the Political Bureau and minister of higher education.

"We congratulate you because you are, fortunately, incurable dreamers, obstinate sculptors of souls, inveterate believers in the possibilities of human perfection," he added.

Admiration, profound respect, and infinite affection characterized the presentation of the Order of Frank País, first and second grade; the José Tey Medal; the Cuban Education Distinction, and the Rafael Maria de Mendive Distinction to a broad representation of educators.

Those attending the event included José Ramón Fernández, vice president of the Council of Ministers; Olga Lidia Tapia, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee; Ena Elsa Velázquez, minister of education, and Christian Jiménez, president of INDER.