Madrid - The Communist Party of Spain (PCE) awarded here today Cuban Fighter against Terrorism, Gerardo Hernandez, for being a paradigm of resistance and dignity from the small Latin American country in the world.

During a ceremony held in this capital, PCE secretary general, Jose Luis Centella, awarded Hernandez with the Dolores Ibarruri Medal.

Dolores Ibarruri (1895-1989) known as "La Pasionaria," was a historical political leader during the Second Spanish Republic and the Civil War.

Centella stressed that the tenacity of the also Hero of the Republic of Cuba, who suffered a long imprisonment in the United States along with four compatriots, showed that despite his power, imperialism could be crushed.

The leader of the Spanish Communists said Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, known as the Cuban Five in the global crusade for their release, not only defended their dignity but also the people of the Caribbean island.

Paraphrasing to "La Pasionaria," he emphasized that the Cuban Five preferred to die standing than live on their knees, when they did not yield to the harsh punishments to which they were unfairly subjected during the prolonged confinement in American jails.

In September 2014, Fernando Gonzalez participated in this capital in the traditional annual PCE party, a time in which he received many expressions of affection and the Dolores Ibarruri award.

Hernandez said this award was also a recognition to the people and government of his country he accepted with great satisfaction.

I appreciate these examples of affection on behalf of the Cuban Five and our relatives, to whom you helped to reinforce their hopes in this case, he said.

The Cuban Five were detained in Miami in 1998, for monitoring the activities by extremist groups with an enormous history of belligerent actions against the Caribbean island.

Fernando and Rene were released after completing their sentences, while Labañino, Guerrero and Hernandez were released in December 2014 by an agreement between the Cuban and U.S. authorities.