WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 8, 2014 - A five day series of events focused on changing the U.S. policy towards Cuba and freeing The Cuban 5 comes to a close this Tuesday, June 10th, with an evening of speakers and cultural activities. The evening will feature speakers from Cuba's religious community, ambassadors from several Latin American countries, and participants in the 5 Days for the Cuban 5events.

This past Sunday, people gathered at Sheridan Circle to remember the 1976 car-bombing that killed Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and his assistant Ronni Moffit. Letelier's son Francisco recounted how the murder of his father and Moffit were carried out by Miami-based Cuban exile groups, who went on to bomb a Cubana civilian airliner two weeks later, killing all 73 passengers on board.  

These Cuban-exile groups were discussed as part of a two-day Conference on U.S.-Cuba Relations which also highlighted the case of the Cuban 5. The Cuban 5 are five Cubans arrested in the U.S. in 1998 for thwarting attacks against Cuba which were planned and orchestrated by these exile groups. The five Cubans received long prison sentences in the trial following their arrest. Two of the Cuban 5 have completed their entire sentences and returned to Cuba, while three remain in U.S. prisons, one serving a double-life sentence plus 15 years.  

Last Saturday, over 500 people gathered in front of the White House to ask President Obama to free the remaining Cuban 5 and to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba. The protesters then continued through the streets of Washington to the Justice Department where the same demands were raised.

Tuesday evening's event takes place at Bolivarian Hall, 2443 Massachusetts Ave NW in Washington and is sponsored by the International Committee for the Freedom for the Cuban 5.

For additional information on the 5 Days for the Cuban 5, please visit http://www.5daysforthecuban5.com