Five Cuban intelligence agents who were released from jail in the United States thanked Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for his support, according to an open letter published over the weekend.

The members of the Cuban Five, as they came to be known, said they were "deeply touched" by Maduro's recent letter of solidarity and support for them, and expressed their "sincere appreciation."

On Friday, Cuban state daily Granma published two letters from Maduro, one addressed to Cuban leader Raul Castro and the other to his predecessor Fidel Castro, in which the Venezuelan leader congratulated them on the men's return.

Maduro also congratulated them on the Dec. 17 joint announcement by Havana and Washington that the two countries had agreed to restore diplomatic ties.

The announcement was accompanied by a humanitarian prisoner exchange that included three members of the Cuban Five, two of whom had been previously released from jail after completing their sentences.

The Cuban Five expressed their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and "their cause, struggles and motivations," and their admiration for late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, saying they wanted to pay tribute to him at his grave. Chavez was a fierce supporter of Cuba during his 14 years in power.

Hailed as heroes at home, the members of the Cuban Five -- Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez, Fernando Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez and Ramon Labanino -- were arrested in Miami, Florida, in 1998 and convicted two years later to controversially lengthy prison terms for spying on right-wing Cuban exile groups intent on overthrowing Cuba's communist government.

Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez returned to the island in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Endi

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