During a press conference on Wednesday, Alan Gross spoke out about his release from Cuban prison after five years in captivity.
"Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and so far, it's the best Hanukkah that I'll be celebrating for a long time," Gross said. "What a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country."
Gross, a 65-year-old USAID contractor, was convicted of espionage for bringing satellite technology into Cuba. He said that the White House's new policy on diplomatic relations with Cuba is a "game-changer," which he supports. Gross thanked President Obama for obtaining his freedom and working on the new agreement with Cuba.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Before leaving the podium, Gross added that during his captivity, he learned the "judicious lesson" that "freedom is not free." Watch Gross' moving speech below. --Meghan DeMaria
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
