The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Organisation (VCFO) on Aug. 31 made a statement, requiring the US government to promptly release five anti-terrorist Cuban nationals being detained in the US.

In the statement, the VCFO affirmed its strong support and unchanged solidarity with the Cuban people and the five men, who are praised as national heroes for their bravery in the fight against terrorism.

The five nationals - Fernando Gonzalez Llort, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Ramon Labanino Salazar and Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert - were arrested by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Sept. 12, 1998 in Miami, Florida, while they were engaged in activities to prevent a terrorist scheme against Cuba.

Over the past ten years, they have been detained in the US due to arbitrary verdicts by the Miami Court and local government. Many organisations and individuals worldwide have called on the US government to reconsider the case and release them promptly.

However, the US Supreme Court recently refused to reconsider the verdict after being requested to do so by the counsels for the defence./.