CONGRATULATIONS TO FERNANDO GONZALEZ AND THANK YOU TO KENIA SERRANO
The National Network on Cuba (NNOC) sends congratulations to Fernando González, the new President of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). Fernando is well known and admired around the world as one of the 5 Cuban Heroes who was unjustly incarcerated for more than 15 years in the United States for defending Cuba from U.S. based terrorism. Many of us have gotten to know Fernando through the long international struggle to free the Cuban Five. Upon his return Fernando not only continues fighting for the release of his three Cuban brothers still incarcerated in the US but was also one of the many voices in support of the international campaign for the freedom of Oscar Lopez Rivera with whom he was incarcerated in Terre Haute, IN.
We also have had the opportunity to work closely with Kenia Serrano not just during her 8 years as ICAP President and as a member of the Cuban National Assembly, but also as a youth activist with the Cuban Center for the Studies of Youth and with the Union of Young Communists (UJC). The NNOC was honored to have Kenia participate in our 2015 National Meeting in Washington DC. We look forward to continuing to work with Kenia in her future challenges and are proud to have had such positive and profound contact with her.
The NNOC has had the privilege of working with and knowing many presidents of ICAP including the beloved Sergio Corrieri during the early nineties. Through the example of these extraordinary leaders we have gained a tremendous knowledge of and appreciation for the achievements of the Cuban Revolution.
We wish Fernando great success and are certain that the opportunities that he will have to interact with the solidarity community around the world will bring even greater recognition of Cuba’s achievements and support for Cuban sovereignty.
We send our support and solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Cuba and in ICAP and continue to demand that the United States end the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba, return to the Cuban people the territory illegally occupied by the Guantanamo naval base, and end regime change programs.
NNOC Co Chairs
Banbose Shango
Cheryl LaBash
Greg Klave
Alicia Jrapko
Nalda Vigezzi
