Rene Gonzalez spends two weeks in Cuba
News from Cuba | Friday, 13 April 2012
Rene Gonzalez, one of the Miami Five antiterrorists unjustly serving harsh sentences in the United States, is back in Florida after spending two weeks visiting his seriously ill brother.
Having completed his 13-year sentence, René is currently on parole and required to remain in the US for a further three years on supervised release.
In February, his lawyer submitted an emergency request to the South Florida District Court, seeking permission to visit his brother Roberto, who is suffering from lung cancer.
Almost a month later, on March 19, Judge Joan Lenard, who has been in charge of the case since its beginning, authorised a 15-day trip, subject to several conditions. René was required to obtain all necessary clearances and licenses required by the US government to travel to Cuba, and to submit a detailed itinerary of the trip including flight numbers, routing, location and contact information in Cuba. Additionally he had to report daily to his probation officer by telephone. The judge’s order made clear that the conditions of his supervised release have not changed and that he must return to the United States within two weeks from the date of his departure.
During his stay from 30 March - 13 April, Rene was able to spend time with his family, especially with gravely-ill Roberto.
