Havana - The decision of never betraying the Cuban Revolution turned the Cuban Five into a tight group from the start of the legal process followed against them, stated hero Ramon Labanino.

During the television broadcast program Mesa Redonda (Round Table) on Friday, Labanino referred to the way they were repeatedly lured to betrayal through material offers and psychological pressure.

It was not only a personal treason, but also betraying the country, which might even be an excuse for military escalation and against our government in the political scene, said Labanino as he reflected about their situation at the time.

None of us yielded despite we were placxed in solitary confinement for the entire 17 months of pretrial custody, without seeing each other, and recalled that on September 14, 1998 when they met in court and also saw Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez, they knew they would stay together as one until the end.

Meanwhile, hero gerardo Hernandez said 10 people were detained but five of them couldn't resist the pressure and cooperated with U.S. authorities in our of court settlements.

He said to him it was a moment of reaffirmation, as the objective of th U.S. authorities was to stage propaganda, and he was certain that he had not do any harm to the United States.

Five of us decided not to give in, said Gerardo, and extolled the stands of Rene, Frnando, Ramon and Antonio, against whom there was hardly evidence.

Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero and Ramon Labanino, along Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, internationally known as The Cuban Five, were arrested in 1998 and unfairly given harsh U.S. prison sentences for monitoring Florida-based terrorist groups operating against Cuba.

Regarding their lawyers, Antonio referred to how since the start of the process a close link was forged with the families and the lawyers identified with the cause and admire The Cuban Five.

He specially extolled lawyer Leonard Weinglass, whom The Cuban Five remember as tirelessly fighting for their release. He died before he could enjoy this victory, he lamented.

Antonio also appreciated the respect and admiration shown to them by the people and friends of Cuba.

Gerardo said one cannot speak about The Cuban Five without referring to the solidarity movements worldwide, which contributed to multiply The Cuban Five's proud of being Cubans and loving their country.

He highlighted the important role of this solidarity in spreading details of their case and the achievements made by solidarity movements in the United States and other nations, which deserve admiration and the most sincere gartitude.