The controversial birth of Gema, daughter of former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández and his wife, Adriana Pérez, continues to stir debate nearly ten years after her unexpected arrival on January 6, 2015. Conceived through artificial insemination while her father served time in a U.S. federal prison, her existence became a focal point in the political and media narratives between the United States and Cuba, while also raising eyebrows among skeptics.
In a statement on the pro-government program Mesa Redonda, Hernández Nordelo addressed those who still call him "tarrú" on social media. He mentioned that the documentary, Gema de Cuba, unveiled some of the strategies that enabled the couple to have their daughter. Yet, "there are still things that are unknown," the ex-spy noted.
"It was a masterful move, a well-played game of chess that the most ignorant haters still can't grasp. If you check Twitter pages, the worst insult is 'Tarrù tarrù, your wife got pregnant while you were in prison,'" he recounted with a laugh.
Hernández explained that the situation caused a stir "because we pulled it off right under their noses without them noticing." He also mentioned that after the news broke, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a letter to the Department of Justice complaining about how a Cuban spy was allowed to conceive while incarcerated.
The Cuban official elaborated that "in federal prisons, there are no conjugal visits, and by the time they found out, it was too late because it was done with absolute secrecy. Then came Ross's letter, the pressures, the criticisms..." He commented that Adriana's pregnancy eventually paved the way for the spies' release.
It was revealed in 2015 that Adriana's pregnancy was possible thanks to the intervention of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, who facilitated her request to the Department of Justice. Leahy, along with his wife Marcelle, helped oversee the artificial insemination procedure, funded by the Cuban government and successfully executed after two attempts.
Nonetheless, this incident wasn't without controversy. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a letter of protest to the Department of Justice, harshly criticizing the allowance for a federal inmate to father a child while serving a sentence. This sparked a wave of comments and criticisms in both the United States and Cuba, particularly on social media, where personal attacks and theories quickly emerged.
Following his release, Gerardo Hernández described his daughter's birth as "the greatest reward for all the suffering" endured during his 16-year separation from his wife. He had been imprisoned for acting as a spy for the Cuban regime in Miami.
Controversies Surrounding Gerardo Hernández and Gema's Birth
Why was Gema's birth controversial?
Gema's birth was controversial because she was conceived through artificial insemination while her father, Gerardo Hernández, was serving a prison sentence in the United States, raising questions and skepticism about how the procedure was allowed.
How did U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy contribute to Gema's conception?
Senator Patrick Leahy played a key role by mediating and facilitating Adriana Pérez's request to the Department of Justice, overseeing the artificial insemination process that led to Gema's conception.
What was the reaction to Gema's birth in the United States?
The reaction was mixed, with significant criticism and a letter of protest from Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to the Department of Justice, questioning the decision to allow a federal inmate to conceive a child.