The mysterious conception of Gema, the daughter of former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández and his wife, Adriana Pérez, continues to generate controversy nearly a decade after the unexpected birth of the girl on January 6, 2015.
Conceived through artificial insemination while her father was serving a sentence in a federal prison in the United States, her existence marked a high point in the political and media narrative between the two countries; it also raised suspicions among thousands of people who couldn't believe it.
In statements made to the official platform Mesa Redonda, Hernandez Nordelo responded to those who still call him "tarrú" on social media. He explained that the documentary titled Gema de Cuba revealed details of the strategy that allowed the couple to conceive their daughter.
However, "there are still things that are unknown," said the former spy.
"That was a masterful move, a game of chess so well played that even the most ignorant haters can't comprehend it. You go onto Twitter and the worst offense is 'Tarrù tarrù, your wife got pregnant while you were in prison,' he recalled with a laugh."
He said that the incident sparked controversy "because we passed it through here (the nose) and they didn't smell it."
It states that after learning of the incident, Congresswoman Iliana Ros-Lehtinen sent a letter to the Department of Justice complaining about how they allowed the Cuban spy to conceive while in prison.
The regime's official explains that "in federal prisons there are no pavilions or conjugal visits, and by the time they found out, it was already too late because it was done with complete secrecy. Then there was the letter from Iliana Ross, the pressures, the criticisms..."
He noted that Adriana's pregnancy subsequently paved the way for the release of the spies.
In 2015, it was revealed that the woman's pregnancy was made possible thanks to the intervention of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, who mediated for Adriana Pérez to submit a request to the Department of Justice. Leahy, accompanied by his wife Marcelle, helped oversee the artificial insemination procedure, which was funded by the Cuban government and successfully carried out after two attempts.
However, this event was not without controversy. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a letter of protest to the Department of Justice, harshly criticizing how a federal inmate was allowed to conceive a child while serving their sentence.
This reaction sparked a wave of comments and criticisms, both in the United States and in Cuba, particularly on social media, where theories and personal attacks quickly emerged.
Gerardo Hernández, after his release, described the arrival of his daughter as “the greatest reward for all the suffering” endured during the 16 years of separation from his wife. He had been imprisoned for acting as a spy for the Cuban regime in Miami.
Frequently asked questions about Gerardo Hernández and the conception of his daughter Gema
How was it possible for Gerardo Hernández and Adriana Pérez to conceive their daughter Gema while he was in prison?
Gema's conception was made possible through artificial insemination. This process was overseen by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife, Marcelle, and was funded by the Cuban government. This took place while Gerardo Hernández was serving a sentence in a federal prison in the United States, where there was no possibility of conjugal visits. Controversy arose because the pregnancy was kept a secret until it was too late to intervene.
Why has there been controversy surrounding the birth of Gema, the daughter of Gerardo Hernández?
The controversy arises from the fact that the pregnancy occurred while Gerardo Hernández was incarcerated in the United States, raising suspicions about how it was possible without conjugal visits. Furthermore, the involvement of a U.S. senator and funding from the Cuban government added a political dimension to the issue, provoking criticism both in Cuba and the United States.
What was Gerardo Hernández's reaction to those who call him "tarrú" on social media?
Gerardo Hernández responded to the criticisms and mockery on social media by stating that "there are still things that are not known" about how his wife's pregnancy was achieved. He described the process as a "masterstroke" that his detractors cannot comprehend and downplayed the offenses by noting that the secret of the procedure was kept until it was too late to be questioned.
What was the political impact of Gema's birth on the release of the Cuban spies?
Gema's birth had a significant impact on the political narrative between Cuba and the United States. Gerardo Hernández believes that the pregnancy paved the way for the release of the Cuban spies, as the news of the pregnancy generated pressures and criticisms that influenced the negotiations for their release. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen also formally protested, which heightened attention on the case.
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