Quito - President of Ecuador Rafael Correa met here today with the five Cuban fighters against terrorism who served long sentences in US prisons and Colonel Orlando Cardoso, who was imprisoned in a Somali prison for nearly 11 years.

"How lucky to have you here, we were expecting you for a long time", said Correa during the meeting in his office to Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino and Fernando Gonzalez, known in the world as the Cuban Five, and Cardoso.

Correa thanked the Cuban heroes on behalf of the Great Homeland for the example of dignity and patriotism that they gave during the years of imprisonment.

Correa, who was one of the first presidents in the world claiming the release of the Cuban Five, reiterated his love and admiration for the Cuban people and its leaders.

The six Cuban heroes arrived in Ecuador today following an invitation of Correa, and have carried out a tight agenda that included meetings with local authorities and members of groups of solidarity with Cuba.

They also plan to visit the Amazon and assess the environmental damage caused US transnational Chevron, before traveling to Bolivia on Sunday.