Below is a message sent by Gerardo Hernández, one of the Cuban Five, following the death of Nelson Mandela, leader of the democratic revolution in South Africa. Three of the Five — Hernández, René González and Fernando González — served as volunteer combatants in Angola. More than 375,000 Cubans volunteered between 1975 and 1991 to help defeat the invading armies of the white supremacist apartheid regime in South Africa.

“I was in prison when I first heard of the massive assistance that the Cuban internationalist forces provided to the people of Angola, on such a scale that one hesitated to believe,” Nelson Mandela said in Matanzas, Cuba, on July 26, 1991. The military defeat of South African forces at Cuito Cuanavale in March 1988 “was a victory for the whole of Africa!” he said, led to the unbanning of the African National Congress, “and made it possible for me to be here today.” Mandela was released in February 1990 after more than 27 years in prison.

Governments around the world that backed the apartheid regime branded the African National Congress and Mandela as “terrorists.” Chief among them was Washington, which maintained that designation until 2008. Mandela visited eight U.S. cities on a 12-day tour in June 1990. In Miami, city officials refused to welcome him and denounced Mandela for his friendship with Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.

Those in the city of Miami who insulted him by denying him homage because he embraced Fidel and thanked Cuba for its aid to Africa, today will have to sit in embarrassed silence.

The Cuban Five will continue facing every day our unjust imprisonment, until the end, inspired by his example of unwavering loyalty and resistance.

Eternal Glory to the great Nelson Mandela!