HAVANA, (Reuters) – Cuba President Raul Castro yesterday pinned medals on five spies, declaring them national heroes for infiltrating right-wing exile groups that plotted against Havana and for then enduring long prison terms in the United States.
The final three of the “Cuban Five” returned home in a prisoner exchange on Dec. 17 – the same day the United States and Cuba announced they would restore diplomatic ties and seek to end more than half a century of confrontation.
The two others had been previously released.
All five received a standing ovation from Cuba’s top political leaders, military officers and hundreds of dignitaries gathered in parliament.
