Antonio Luis Llansó Vázquez

Cuban citizen residing in the United States, who dedicated his life to the defense of his homeland's sovereignty and to the increase of international solidarity with our people and their Revolution.

Tony Llansó was a member of the executive board of the Antonio Maceo Brigade in the United States and since 2008 served as president of the Alianza Martiana, one of the organizations of Cuban emigrants that make up the coalition of the same name in Miami.

The last ten years of his life he devoted to the cause of the liberation of our Five Heroes imprisoned by the empire and in support of their families.

When speaking of Tony Llansó, one must inevitably remember the Teacher of all Cubans, José Martí, when he affirmed that "the true man does not look at which side one lives better, but at which side duty lies, and that is the same practical man whose dream of today will be the law of tomorrow".

By that maxim Tony lived, until the forces of the body imposed themselves on those of the spirit, and he died, as true patriots do, exactly three years ago.

Antonio Luis Llansó Vázquez was the true name of this Havanan who was born on February 20, 1950, but everyone knew him simply as Tony, the tireless unifier of Cuban emigrants in Miami, the leader of the Antonio Maceo Brigade, the arm-in-arm brother of the Pastors for Peace, the President of the Alianza Martiana, the unconditional organizer of campaigns for the freedom of the Five Cuban Heroes, prisoners in American jails for confronting the most ruthless terrorism against Cuba that is generated from United States territory.

But who better than the Heroes themselves to speak of Tony. In an epistolary exchange, one of the Cuban anti-terrorist fighters, Ramón Labañino, told me: "I had the honor of being able to speak with him by telephone on several occasions. His affability and affection jumped across the lines and embraced us with the familiarity of the special human being that he was and always will be. He was a loyal Cuban, above all reasons, always willing to do anything, at any moment and under any circumstances.

"He had a unique genius –Ramón Labañino continues– for finding solutions to all types of problems, and he always gave his face and his heart in every task. He never said no, even in his delicate state of health, he was always present and in the front line of battle."

"For all our families he was the father, who with experience and a joyful, youthful spirit, helped and took care of everyone. As a good patriot, a lover of his land and his culture, he knew how to hold high the decorum and honor of men committed to their time and their eternal Cuba."

"We will always remember him –Ramón Labañino continues– as a Ché of these times, as one of those irreplaceable men who ennoble and honor the land that saw them born. His image and example will accompany us forever as a star that guides and exhorts us in this long battle for the life and well-being of humanity," Ramón concluded.

Also conversing with Fernando González, another of the Cuban Heroes imprisoned in American jails, he told me in one of his letters about Tony Llansó: "nature and circumstances prevented me from knowing him personally. Only his voice reached me on several occasions through the telephone line.

"Those opportunities, and the testimony of my family members who did have the privilege of knowing him –Fernando continues– and receiving his careful attentions, as well as the reference to his work as a member of the Alianza Martiana, were enough to verify Tony's quality as a human being, his spirit of solidarity and his Cubanness beyond all doubt".

Tony Llansó greeting the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro

"Tony carried Cuba in his heart. He was a Cuban patriot, there, where assuming the Homeland as he did, is more difficult, where it implies a personal and family cost, and where it is more risky."

"We will always be grateful for his effort in the struggle for our liberation –Fernando continues– and for the total and unconditional way in which he supported and cared for our families. It was one of his ways of expressing his patriotism."

"The memory of Tony Llansó will accompany us eternally. His example as a dignified and brave Cuban is an inspiration in the struggle for justice and for the well-being of Cuba," Fernando González emphasized.

Andrés Gómez, director of Areito Digital and one of his closest collaborators in Miami, remembers him as "a leader of that sector of Cuban emigration in the United States that is heir to and continuation of the great work of that other Cuban emigration that in the United States and under the masterful leadership of Martí was a very principal factor in making possible the beginning and sustenance of the last of our wars for independence from the despotism of Spain".

"As he felt his life ebbing away, Tony went to die in the Homeland –said Andrés Gómez. He died in Havana, cared for with affection and care and until his last breath surrounded by loved ones, on December 6 late at night, just fifty-five minutes before December 7. Had he been conscious of it, one more time he would have prevailed over the intransigent requirement of death in order to be able to die on such a glorious date", referring to the fall in battle of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo and his aide Panchito Gómez Toro.

The message sent by Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, René González, Ramón Labañino and Fernando González, the Five Cuban Heroes, at the moment of Tony's death, contains the feeling of all Cubans who dream of a sovereign Cuba: "Thus we love you, dear Tony, and thus you will be forever in our hearts and in our work each day. Today the Homeland proudly welcomes in its bosom one of its noblest sons, the irreplaceable brother of a thousand battles, the faithful companion of all dignified Cubans".