The Hero of the Republic of Cuba Ramón Labañino on Tuesday launched his book "Hombre del silencio: diario de prisión" (Man of Silence: A Prison Diary), which recalls the 16 years he spent in prison in the United States for fighting terrorism.

The Havana-based Fidel Castro Center hosted the launch of the book, which the author dedicated to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, whom he described as an immense man, key to the international battle and that of his compatriots for the release of The Five.

Labañino recalled the hard years of unfair imprisonment lived by him and his four brothers of cause in US maximum security prisons, and highlighted the pride of being faithful to Fidel Castro’s example of respect, dignity and courage.

He noted that in that context, such values, and the love of his family and his people, as well as international solidarity, were the main resources to resist and win.

The message I leave is that wherever we are, the three generations that are here today must feel a great pride in being a man, a woman, a soldier of Fidel, he remarked.

The book was presented by historian Elier Ramirez, deputy director of the Fidel Castro Center and author of the prologue to this edition.

Labañino, who is the vice president of the Association of Economists and Accountants of Cuba, was in prison in the United States since 1998, along with fellow heroes Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González, known as The Five by a broad international movement in favor of their release.