The men are in the country from 21 June to 03 July with the purpose of their visit being to thank the people and the South African government, including the tripartite alliance, who had supported calls for their release.

According to Dirco, René González was released on October 7, 2011 following the completion of 13 years of his sentence with a further three years of probation in the US. He was allowed to return to Cuba for his father’s funeral on 22 April 2013, and a federal judge allowed him to stay there provided that he renounce his United States citizenship.

Source: iol News/ ANA Reporter
Available: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/south-africa-welcomes-cuban-five-1.1874224