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
Deisy Francis Mexidor
• 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.
|
Raúl spoke over
the telephone with
Gerardo’s wife, Adriana Pérez
O’Connor, who is currently in Spain as
part of an international tour to
support freedom for the Five. |
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."
Translated by Granma International
