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One year ago today, celebrations broke out across Cuba as the last three of the Cuban Five, who were imprisoned in the United States for over a decade, were finally released. The day also marked a historic transition in the complex relationship between the U.S. and Cuba.
RELATED: Who Are the Cuban 5?
Dec. 17, 2014, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, and Antonio Guerrero were released from a Miami prison, where they had been held since 1998.
The three were last members of the men known as the Cuban Five who were arrested in Miami accused of committing espionage against the United States.
However, according to Cuba, the five intelligence officers were in the U.S. following the actions of terrorist groups whom they suspected of planning on carrying out terrorist acts in Cuba. In Cuba, the five men are considered heroes by the government and other supporters.
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The Cuban people feel very proud of the Five #D17CubaVa
— Radio Ciudad del Mar (@radiocienfuegos)
December 17, 2015
#D17CubaVa First anniversary of freeing the last three members of the Cuban Five pic.twitter.com/HAA7AZhCNA
— Embacuba.Dinamarca (@EmbacubaD)
December 17, 2015
The five men – who also include Fernando Gonzalez (released in 2014) and Rene Gonzalez (released in 2011) – were held without bail in the U.S. for 33 months between arrest and trial. They were also kept in solitary confinement for 17 months and completely cut off from communication with the outside world.
They were charged with 26 separate crimes collectively, most being minor charges relating to false identification. The most serious charges, related to espionage and murder, carrying life sentences.
The indictment did not actually charge them with the crimes, but conspiracy to commit them. This meant that the prosecution did not have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the men committed these crimes.
IN DEPTH: Cuba-US Relations Continue to Evolve, Slowly
On the same day the men were released, both the U.S. and Cuba announced the establishment of new diplomatic ties.
Important steps have been made over the past year to improve relations between the two countries, including reopening embassies in both nations, the U.S. removing Cuba from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list, and the opening of diplomatic talks and some cooperation agreements on environment, telecommunications and flights.
However, much still remains to be done. The U.S. blockade on the island nation is still in place, while travel restrictions applied to U.S. citizens continue to exist.
ANALYSIS: US Immigration Policy for Cuba: A Cold War Relic
The Guantanamo Bay detention center is also still illegally occupying Cuban soil while the U.S. has maintained some aggressive policies towards Cuba, including its immigration laws towards Cuban nationals.
WATCH: Exclusive Interview with The Cuban Five
