HAVANA — Three Cubans recently released from prison in the U.S. are getting a warm welcome home from the country's parliament.
The freed prisoners received a standing ovation Saturday as they appeared with family members before the National Assembly. Seated behind the prisoners in the audience was Elian Gonzalez, the young man who in 2000 was the subject of a bitter custody battle in Miami. Also at the assembly was President Raul Castro.
The prisoners were released earlier this week as part of a historic deal to restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States for the first time in more than 50 years. All three had been convicted of spying. They were exchanged for a Cuban-born U.S. spy imprisoned on the island for nearly 20 years.