The Peruvian Embassy 1980

The Peruvian Embassy 1980
Juan Juan Almeida
JJ – Zenaida Gonzalez Cuétara is a Cuban worker, proud of her origin.
She was of those people who, on a not too hot day in 1980, decided to
take refuge in guarded premises of the Embassy of Peru.
ZG – I lived at O'Reilly and Aguiar, Centro Habana, until April 5, 1980
when I entered the Embassy of Peru. That day changed my life.
JJ – The Cuban government has repeated over the years that people who
entered the embassy of Peru, were all criminals. Is that true, or is it
infamy?
ZG – During the terrible ordeal I was 24 and a member of the Union of
Young Communists. I worked in the town of Regla in a state enterprise
exporting shrimp and lobster. That's not a crime.
It is true that the situation became chaotic without taking into account
the needs of human beings themselves, but all sorts of people in Havana
came to the Embassy of Peru, most from upright and educated homes. Look,
really, we were not criminals but victims of robbery, outrage, and many
violations not only of Cuban officials, but also of some Peruvians who
crashed the ambassador's car to extort money from the Cuban victims of
blackmail in exchange for a little sugar, and victims of threats to
deprive us of our gold chains. Thus we came to Peru, and the campaign
here was destructive.
JJ – That's just what I want. So that the agreements between both
governments were not kept; and remember that many people in Miami and
elsewhere in the United States, seem to forget that the Mariel boatlift
depended on the sad events of the Embassy of Peru and of those Cubans
who, like you now live stranded in Lima.
ZG — That's right, Mr Almeida, this was terrible here. We've gone
through everything, fortunately the years have managed to erase much of
what happened. I sell Peruvian candy here on the street, I have a
17-year-old son ready for college. That's what I can do, it has dignity.
JJ — And tell me Zenaida, how Cubans like you, who in 1980 took refuge
in the embassy of Peru, how do you live.
ZG — There's everything. The majority live from working, some live on
drugs. I live quite far from that, I have to work. But I invite you to
come to Peru, to visit everyone. Everyone, the few who remain. Some left
from here, others have died of old age, illness or overdoses… It's been
32 years, there has been a lot of despair.
JJ — I accept the invitation. I think drugs are simply the result, has
anyone been offered a job?
ZG — Never, sir. The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees) has purchased several lots on the outskirts of the city, well
away. There we built little houses. But nobody has ever given us work.
JJ — Has the Cuban Embassy or its officials ever done something for you?
ZG — No, never. When a Cuban passport must be renewed, there they are to
collect. That's their greatest aid, to charge you. The last place you
would go to seek help is the embassy.
JJ — I know well, but I want to stress – for those who think so – if
ever the government of Cuba, in one of its highly publicized
humanitarian gestures, has been concerned for you.
ZG — For us? Never.
JJ — For a working person it's impossible to pay the consular fee, what
it costs is highway robbery. But would you not you like to return to
your country and show it to your child?
ZG — Sure, sir, of course. I have 15 brothers and sisters in Cuba, isn't
that reason enough to go to my country? I would love to forget spending
32 years missing my family. Hopefully some day it will be within my
power to teach my son about his family, his culture, his country. But
it's hard, Sir, every day is very hard. I'm a street vendor, I sell on
the streets of Lima, porridge and rice pudding.
JJ — Now I have to ask the question of sixty-four thousand dollar
question. Why did you leave Cuba?
ZG – To look for a better future, another alternative for my life… Could
you tell me why you, considering everything, decided to leave Cuba?
JJ — I left my country to be reunited with my family, to receive medical
treatment that does not exist in my country, because a profoundly
dictatorial system bored me, because I'm not one of those who can
practice hypocrisy as a way of life. I was not looking for a future, I
was looking for a present, because mind was crap.
Thank you Zenaida, it has been a pleasure talking with you.
March 22 2011
http://translatingcuba.com/?p=8520