Former Cuban President Fidel . Castro has finally met with all five of the Cuban spies who were freed from a U.S. prison as part of a deal to strengthen diplomatic ties . The former intelligence officers gathered at the ex-revolutionary leaders home in Havana on Saturday , 73 days after the last of them were released in an inmate swap . It had been highly anticipated as a reunion of Cuba 's most . vaunted heroes , but officials are yet to explain why it took . so long to arrange . Historic encounter : Former Cuban President Fidel Castro , 88 , finally met with all five of the Cuban spies who were freed from US prison . Politics : The gathering at his home in Havanna came 73 days after the last of them were freed in a prisoner swap that was part of the deal to restore diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba . Castro wrote in an article in the daily Granma newspaper about the five-hour visit that appeared in official media on Monday , accompanied by photos of the get-together . The politician goes by the title of 'historic leader ' in retirement . and the five intelligence agents were recently honored as Heroes . of the Republic for spying on anti-Castro extremist groups in . the United States and withstanding prison , unjustly according to . Cuba . 'The five anti-terrorist heroes , who never did any damage to . the United States , were trying to prevent and impede terrorist . acts against our people that , it is well known , were organized . by U.S. intelligence services , ' Castro wrote . Jailed since 1998 , the final three of the agents returned . home on December 17 , when Cuba and the United States completed a. prisoner swap as part of the deal in which they agreed to . restore diplomatic relations after more than five decades of . confrontation . The encounter game five intelligence agents were recently honored as Heroes of the Republic for spying on anti-Castro extremist groups in the United States . The group were arrested in 1998 and convicted in 2001 for spying for Cuba 's government . It had been highly anticipated as a reunion of Cuba 's most vaunted heroes , but officials have not said why it took so long to arrange . The other two had already returned home after . completing their sentences . In exchange , Cuba freed a Cuban man who spied for Washington . and spent nearly 20 years in jail . In addition , Cuba freed . imprisoned American aid worker Alan Gross on humanitarian . grounds plus 53 people that United States considered political . prisoners . Fidel Castro stepped down from power in 2008 , handing off to . his younger brother Raul , 83 . Fidel Castro occasionally writes a. column and is seen in the official media receiving dignitaries . at his Havana home , but he has not been spotted in public since . Jan. 8 , 2014 . Fidel Castro 's current role in policy-making is unknown . Many Cubans presume Raul Castro consults with his brother on . major decisions , and Fidel Castro 's long absence after the . announcement raised questions about his health and whether he . agreed with ceasing hostilities with the Americans . Intelligence agents Gerardo Hernandez , 49 , Antonio Guerrero , . 56 , and Ramon Labañino , 51 , came home on Dec. 17 after serving . 16 years in U.S. jails . Two others , Rene Gonzalez , 58 , and Fernandez Gonzalez , 51 , . had previously returned after fulfilling their sentences . The group shared stories and shook the hand of the former leader during the meeting . They showed each other books , pictures and mementos during the encounter . Fidel Castro has been out of the public eye for a long time , raising questions about his health and influence in the policy-making process . An FBI handout shows the mugshot of the Cuban Five when they were arrested in 1998 Gerardo Hernandez , 49 , Antonio Guerrero,56 , and Ramon Labañino , 51 , came home on December 17 . Two others , Rene Gonzalez , 58 , and Fernandez Gonzalez , 51 , had previously returned after fulfilling their sentences .
Former President , 88 , met group 73 days after the last was freed . The five were recently honored as heroes for spying on the United States . Jailed since 1998 , the final three inmates returned home on December 17 . Was part of a deal that saw diplomatic relations restored after 50 years . Castro insist they did no damage top the U.S. and were 'trying to impede terrorism ' oversees .