Stock Photo - 1971 - The agreement by which restitution has been made to the Panamanian government of the pirate ships, 'Johnny Express' and 'Layla Express', captured in 1971 by the Cuban Revolutionary government was formally signed on December 19 in Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Relations. These ships were used by the U.S. CIA to perpetrate armed actions and to infiltrate agents into Cuban territory, without the knowledge of the Panamanian government, under whose flag they effected their operations. The return agreement specifies the Panamanian government's assurance not to return the said ships to their former owner and states the fact that Cuba is giving back these vessels out of solidarity for the Panamanian people and their goverment, engaged in a struggle to defend their naitonal sovereignty. The document was signed by Dr. Romulo Escobar Betancourt, the Rector of the University of Panama, and by. Dr. Rene Anillo, First Vice Minister of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Relations. Photo shows the signing of the agreement between the representatives of Cuba (right) and Panama(left) (Credit Image: © Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com)