Imprisoned Cuban Five Artist Shows His Paintings in Havana
Photo Feature by Elio Delgado Valdes
HAVANA TIMES — Nacen entre espinas flores (“Flowers Born Among Thorns”), an exhibition of watercolor paintings by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban Five, was inaugurated at Havana’s National Natural History Museum this past May 22.
Depicting the national flowers of all Latin American countries, the 32 works on display were painted by Guerrero in the US prison, where he is currently serving a sentence on charges of espionage, handed down in what many consider a rigged and unjust trial.
Guerrero, scheduled to be released in September of 2017, and the other four members of the group – Rene Gonzalez (now free), Fernando Gonzalez (also free), Ramon Labañino (to be released in 2024) and Gerardo Hernandez (serving two life sentences) – are considered national heroes by the Cuban government.
Cuba maintains that they had infiltrated terrorist groups based in south Florida that carry out violent actions against the Cuban people and have already caused over three thousand deaths and injured an additional three thousand people since the triumph of the revolution in 1959.
Guerrero’s works will be on display until June 22, when the exhibition will be relocated to other venues around the country.
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The Maple Leaf forever!
Good catch, Carlyle. Had had no idea that Canada was a “Latin American” country (…”Depicting the national flowers of all Latin American countries” …)
Of course, the KGB had their spies in the UK, the US, Canada and other Western countries. According to Brian Lattel, the Cuban spy network in the US was even larger, and more effective, than the KGB. While the CIA & FBI were alert to the Soviet agents, they totally ignored the possibility that little Cuba could run an effective offensive espionage programme against the US. More fool them. The Cuban DGI had spies and moles inside the FBI, the CIA, Congress and the State Department. Lattel even declared Fidel Castro the most brilliant spymaster of the 20th Century.
Hey, maybe Antonio can do a group exhibition with George Bush and his weird portraits?
Members of the UK’s MI6 similarly infiltrated Soviet organizations which carried out attacks upon citizens of free countries. If caught they were frequently executed and occasionally
exchanged for KGB agents. The MI6 and KGB agents were properly described as spies. The Cuban five are equally properly described as spies. Agents of the Cuban Government operating within the US. As loyal employees of the Cuban Government they should be respected for their service, but they were caught and have to pay the price
The pictures are attractive and I was particularly impressed by number 17 – the maple leaf – the key part of the national flag of Canada – a free democratic country.