Dear Sir:

Last October 30th, prior to the US elections, a group of Peruvian intellectuals approached you on a matter that today we wish to confirm.

On the international scene, we are particularly concerned with the ruthless blockade of Cuba and, certainly, the case of the citizens René González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González who have been imprisoned for the last ten years in the United States, the victims of an extremely cruel sentence that even includes two life sentences for crimes they haven't committed.

We who sign below, Mr. President, conscious of the international scenario made more serious today by profound economic and social crises, renew our request for you to put an end to the unjustified blockade of Cuba, as well as to order immediate freedom for the five Cuban patriots, imprisoned for the last ten years, victims of a contaminated judicial system and an inhuman sentence.

As we reminded you in our October 30th message, this is a matter concerning innocent persons who were in the country trying to collect information destined to prevent and avert terrorist actions against their own country and also preserving the lives of citizens of the United States and other nationalities who, in different circumstances, have fallen victim to terrorist actions that are condemned by the world.

We hope that your administration will resume the just path for the wellbeing of the neediest people and will add its voice to pacifism, on the side of the human condition.

Yours sincerely,

Lima, January 20, 2009.