Photo: GranmaSantiago de Cuba.- The first thing he did upon reaching the city this November 21, Puerto Rican independence patriot Oscar López Rivera paid tribute to Fidel Castro at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where he also honored other national figures.

López Rivera, who was recently freed from prison in the United States after serving 36 years, laid flowers at the monuments to national figures Mariana Grajales, mother of the homeland; Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, father of all Cubans, and José Martí, the island’s National Hero in the Santa Ifigenia necropolis.

With great emotion, the activist noted that he would be leaving the cemetery full of hope and the energy needed to continue the struggle for Puerto Rico’s definitive independence, to which he has committed his life.

Cuba should be thankful to these men and women that forged their freedom, while the Cuban people can share their hopes with them in this place, stated López Rivera, who praised the commitment and altruism of those individuals, not only for the benefit of their country, but of all humankind.

The Puerto Rican leader arrived in Santiago de Cuba, after visiting Bayamo where he learned about some of the earliest feats in Cuba’s wars of independence and was warmly received by hundreds of residents.

During his tour of the cemetery López Rivera was accompanied by decorated Hero of the Republic of Cuba and President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) Fernando González Llort, whom he met while both were imprisoned in the U.S.
Also in attendance was First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in the province Lázaro Expósito, and President of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, Beatriz Johnson.

The Puerto Rican activist is also set to visit the July 26 Museum, located in what was the former Moncada garrison attacked by Fidel and young revolutionaries in 1953, and will also be presented with a distinction by provincial authorities.