Mayor of Bogota Honors Cuban Hero Rene Gonzalez

The Mayor of the Capital District, Gustavo Petro, decorated the Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Rene Gonzalez, with the Civil Order of Merit ''City of Bogota'', in the rank of Grand Officer. The visitor was decorated in the protocol room of the Palace of Lievano, home of the capital's City Hall, in a ceremony attended by the wife of Cuban anti-terrorist, Olga Salanueva and a group of diplomats from the Embassy of Cuba in Colombia.

In the ceremony participated along with the Mayor, the Secretary of Government, Gloria Flores.

The decree of the capital's administration, through which was decorated Gonzalez, one of the Cuban Five, notes that this distinction reflects the international recognition of the Cuban visitor, due to his dignity and resistance.

The text added that the Cuban Five have been actors in the defense and autonomy of peoples, and the sovereignty and identity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the text, the Cuban visitor has become a spokesman for his people to thank the international community for its support and solidarity during the long time of the fight for the release of the Cuban Five, who remained unjustly imprisoned in US jails for more than 17 years.

The Cuban hero, who thanked the award on behalf of his countrymen, is in Colombia, where he participated during the weekend in Cartagena de Indias in the 24th Meeting of the Colombian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, forum that condemned in its closure statement the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.

Last Friday in the capital of the Bolivar department, the Mayor of Cartagena, Dionisio Velez, also honored Gonzalez with the replica of the Seal of Cartagena de Indias, which have been awarded to illustrious guests.