Puerto Rican independence leader Oscar Lopez Rivera, who is visiting Cuba for the first time, expressed on Monday in Havana his gratitude for the Cuban people, “example of resistance and main defender of Puerto Rican independence”.

Lopez Rivera said that being in Cuba is a dream come true, while speaking to participants at the Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and its President Fernando Gonzalez, Hero of the Republic of Cuba and representatives of different institutions.

The independence leader, who unjustly spent almost 36 years in US prisons, 12 of them in total isolation, expressed his love for Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, “a man that showed his example of resistance and struggle and someone that must be remembered by all those that love justice”.

He pointed out that Cuba, since the triumph of the Revolution, constitutes hope that a better and more just world is possible. Lopez Rivera stressed his desire to see his country free, but for this, “we need the unity of all the forces in the world.

We cannot allow what the United States has done up until now, like the occupation of the Naval Base in Guantanamo; to prohibit us to be in harmony with other countries and for them to continue with the criminal blockade, warned the Puerto Rican nationalist.

After expressing his joy to be with his friend and patriot in struggle, Fernando Gonzalez ratified Cuba’s commitment to continue supporting the independence of Puerto Rico and offering its solidarity to that sister nation, recently severely affected by two hurricanes.

He urged to strengthen unity at a time in which the White House reinforces its economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba and looks to destabilize the progressive governments in Latin America.

The President of ICAP recalled that the cause for the liberation of Oscar Lopez Rivera –released last May 17th, mobilized artists, intellectuals, athletes, religious sector and social movements in the world, in addition to having the support of the world like the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the UN Decolonization Committee.

The Puerto Rican leader received a collection of books and a uniform of the Cuban boxing team from Fernando Gonzalez and boxing great Felix Savon, respectively.

The Jose Marti Cultural Society gave Lopez Rivera the recognition “Utilidad de la Virtud” in the activity that also had the presence of the General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, Teresa Amarelle and the Head of the International Relations Department of the Central Committee Jose Ramon Balaguer.

Also, present in the political-cultural activity the Vice President of the Cuban Parliament Ana Maria Mari Machado and the Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, Ramon Labanino, Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez.

As part of the program, Lopez Rivera will pay tribute to National Hero Jose Marti, the leader of the Revolution Fidel Castro, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes and Mariana Grajales at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba and the Heroic Guerrilla Ernesto Che Guevara.

In his tour through several provinces, the independence leader will also visit the birthplace of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro in Biran, Holguin and visit other places of historic and cultural interests.