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US sent Cuban spy prisoner’s sperm back to his wife in Cuba | US sent Cuban spy prisoner’s sperm back to his wife in Cuba |
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The United States government sent a Cuban spy’s sperm back to his wife in Cuba as a goodwill gesture during negotiations with the island nation, it has been confirmed. | The United States government sent a Cuban spy’s sperm back to his wife in Cuba as a goodwill gesture during negotiations with the island nation, it has been confirmed. |
Adriana Perez, the wife of Gerardo Hernandez, is expecting a baby in two weeks’ time, despite him having been locked up for sixteen years without private visits. | Adriana Perez, the wife of Gerardo Hernandez, is expecting a baby in two weeks’ time, despite him having been locked up for sixteen years without private visits. |
Mr Hernandez was imprisoned in the United States serving two consecutive life sentences before his release last week as part of a prisoner swap. | Mr Hernandez was imprisoned in the United States serving two consecutive life sentences before his release last week as part of a prisoner swap. |
"We can confirm the United States facilitated Mrs. Hernandez's request to have a baby with her husband. The request was passed along by Senator [Patrick] Leahy, who was seeking to improve the conditions for [US prisoner in Cuba] [Alan] Gross while he was imprisoned in Cuba," a spokesperson for the US Justice Department said. Mr Hernandez’s release and the services granted to him were part of a more general rapprochement between the United States and Cuba. | |
He was released alongside two other Cuban agents in exchange for Alan Gross, a Cuban who had been spying for Washington, and 53 unidentified prisoners. | He was released alongside two other Cuban agents in exchange for Alan Gross, a Cuban who had been spying for Washington, and 53 unidentified prisoners. |
Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, who facilitated the exchange, has long publicly advocated the release of Mr Goss. | Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, who facilitated the exchange, has long publicly advocated the release of Mr Goss. |
Hernandez was celebrated as an “antiterrorist hero” in his home country for his work infiltrating American Cuban exile groups, at a time when anti-Castro groups were bombing hotels in Cuba. | Hernandez was celebrated as an “antiterrorist hero” in his home country for his work infiltrating American Cuban exile groups, at a time when anti-Castro groups were bombing hotels in Cuba. |
Upon his return was honoured at a ceremony at the Cuban National Assembly, where he was pictured with his wife, who was obviously pregnant. This fact sparked speculation. | Upon his return was honoured at a ceremony at the Cuban National Assembly, where he was pictured with his wife, who was obviously pregnant. This fact sparked speculation. |
The New York Times reports that Ms Perez became pregnant on the second attempt of artificial insemination, and that the sperm sample was transported through Panama by Cuban officials. | The New York Times reports that Ms Perez became pregnant on the second attempt of artificial insemination, and that the sperm sample was transported through Panama by Cuban officials. |
US President Barack Obama this month vowed to chart “a new course on Cuba” and overturn half a century of economic sanctions that failed to topple the Cuban government but intensified its population’s poverty. | US President Barack Obama this month vowed to chart “a new course on Cuba” and overturn half a century of economic sanctions that failed to topple the Cuban government but intensified its population’s poverty. |
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