Quito, September 25 (RHC)-- Ecuadorians welcomed with joy the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters who suffered unjust imprisonment in U.S. jails, and a soldier who was imprisoned nearly 11 years in Somalia. They arrived in Quito on Friday at the invitation of Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa.

Gerardo Hernandez, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino and Rene Gonzalez, along with Cuban internationalist fighter Orlando Cardoso, were received at the Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito by Ecuadorian authorities, the Cuban medical team working in that nation, and a crowd of local residents.

As part of the visit agenda, the six Cubans will participate on Monday in the opening ceremony of the Second Latin American Progressive Meeting in Quito. This event will bring together more than 300 representatives of dozens of movements and leftist political parties.

During their stay in Ecuador, they will also meet with activists of social organizations and solidarity groups, as well as tour places of interest throughout the country and the Ecuadorian Amazon.