“My brother is among the greats”.
In Venezuela, he was head of the first security ring group. He deeply admired the head of the mission, Colonel Humberto.
Marvelys Sánchez López speaks. Interviewing like this is painful. Her eyes betray what her voice tries to convey.
She is the sister of Colonel Orlando Osoria López, one of the 32 Cubans who died in the line of duty in Venezuela. “He was very clean, very organized. The life of any party,” she recalls. Orlando was the DJ at every family celebration, the one who provided the music and the joy. But, above all, he was a profoundly noble man. “He didn’t live for himself, he lived for others.”
He was always a leader, Marvelys says, not only because of his rank, but because of his well-rounded knowledge, his ability to talk about any subject, and, above all, the way he took on every responsibility: creating an atmosphere of friendship, solidarity, and camaraderie. His fellow soldiers have formed a group, and through them, the family has discovered beautiful stories that confirm who Orlando was.
In Venezuela, he was head of the first security detail. He deeply admired the mission leader, Colonel Humberto. “Last night I felt proud,” he confesses, “when I saw the Army General there, next to the two bodies: Humberto’s and my brother’s.
It hurts to the core, but it also fills me with pride.” He recounts an intimate, almost whispered, anecdote. When Orlando began the preliminary stage of the mission, his mother came to see him. “He was my mother’s soul,” he says. She always told Marvelys: “Take care of him, because you are stronger.”
That time, Orlando threw her a note and said: “Don’t come back.” And he explained: “I dreamed of one day being among the greats, and that depends only on my sacrifice.” Today, that phrase hurts.
Written by Yunielys Moliner Isasi.
