Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez

The smiling image of Antonio Guerrero, Tony and his poems tour the world. He is one of the five Cubans condemned for having struggled against terrorism at USA, place where hundreds of actions against Cuba have been organized against Cuba, since the 1959 popular triumph. 

Nothing of it is excess of trust,

almost unbelievable , but I am not alone (1)

This young man, born in October 18 1958,  did not imagine that his life would change when he decided to defend the Cuban people from criminal attacks that so much death and destruction have caused to the island, in spite of serious dangers he was facing. 

Tony and his mother Mirta Rodríguez Pérez

Right from the revolutionary victory over the bloody dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, Tony´s parents: Antonio Guerrero Cancio, deceased and Mirtha Rodríguez Pérez returned to Cuba, where the young man developed his brilliant student life , being a youth organization's leader.

 I have hands that have other hands

Truth is always germinating

The culmination of his studies were excellent at his Construction Engineering carrier at airports, from which he graduated in 1983 with an academic registration of 4,7 points and five points at his graduation research work. In his evaluation , it is stated that he is a true example of student.

Tony: According to what his sister María Eugenia, is a man of peace, which has given love and have always wanted good things. He admires very much to be sincere and self denial and willing to offer what he is got.

The young man is unfairly condemned to a life sentence and 10 years of prison, he however,  keeps his serenity and confidence in the Cuban people which demands freedom and voices of the world join every time.

Mirtha and Maria Eugenia, Tony's  sister

Friends and relatives coincide that Tony is unable to harm anybody and feels infinite love for his homeland.

Maria Eugenia explains that in spite of the fact of having Born in USA, learnt to love Cuba, where he received education and was trained under solid principles.

When she could see him for the first time, Tony received her with a smile in an encouraging expression "that stopped me from crying"

Above all if we are voice and rain

If we know to save the friendly friend.

At his return to Cuba, after graduating from the former Soviet Union as engineer, he started to work at Cubana de Aviación as a specialist in architecture of airports

At the "Antonio Maceo" airport, from Santiago de Cuba received the exceptional evaluation at the main work he was given ; the widening of the highway , taken as an example of constructive type.

In this period he got marriage with Delgis Cabrera Puentes, and from that  union his eldest son was born, Antonio Guerrero, Tonito, today with 16 years and residing together to his mother at Santiago de Cuba.

One day, it is being more than two years, Tonito was explained the mission his father was accomplishing in defense of life. He knew then details of the risky job he was involved at USA.

"I was told I should be strong and be at my daddy's altitude, since the only thing he was asking for his sons was to pick his flag, to give him a kiss and go ahead.

He and I communicate each other a lot. We were always together, as long as we could. He played with me base ball or at anything to keep me happy and tranquil. He is a good father and not because he is in jail , not because he is at prison, but because he was always good to me, without stopping to give advices, Tonito has ascertained.

If we could heal from terror

If we love with love and without shrewdness 

In 1991, Tony got married with the Panamanian citizen Niccia Pérez and both went to live to Panama. They had a boy, thus Antonio Guerrero´s second son, Gabriel Eduardo Guerrero, who at present is 10 years old.

Later he moved to USA, where he works in different jobs, until he is offered  a temporary job , with a better wage at the Public Works Department, at the Air Navy Station of Key West.

Margaret Becquer

At USA he hold a severe life, with limited economic incomes through his work as an assistant of a maintenance workshop at Key West. There he met the North American woman, Margaret Becquer, Maggie with whom he lived several years.

"I give all my support to Tony and I hope that at the end justice prevails," Margaret said, who traveled to Havana to introduce the poem book of her mate, title "From My Altitude" She met this young man eight years ago, "he is a smart and intelligent person, friendly and with great respect for the rest of the people, always ready to listen. Not even difficult situations at jail have eliminated his spirituality and joy of living.

Then, journey will be long

As long that death does not hurry

And dreams are all with good sense

Tony is very meticulous. At USA he developed a skill of doing yoga exercises and vegetables consumption which have earned among his jail friends the nickname of " The Fakir."

He was respected and loved by his work mates because of his temper, mood, joy and will of helping everyone and the quality of his job, some of these characteristics were commented by the press itself, and by his mates at work at Key West.

The journey will be good, so good

That we will be flooding the future

And will have the certain victory

Tony´s beloved mother, Mirtha Rodríguez Pérez, at present retired, keeps an active participation at the Grandmas society of the neighborhood where he resides. There she has read Tony´s poems, Mirtha traveled to Miami for several months, she visited her son and could participate at the trial's session.

"I beg my life that Tony is innocent, I know him and I am certain he is unable to harm anybody, justice and truth have to prevail, my son and his mates are innocent…I could die tomorrow, but I am sure that earlier that later everything will be clear." Mirtha ascertained at Havana.

"Tony is a good son and a very good patriot, at Cuba he was educated, but the land he was born (USA) does not feel any animosity against him, and if he is  involved in this, it was for the sake of that country and of Cuba, and against the evil and harm to oneself and to other people.

"I think and I only find a reason for so much injustice, vengeance against Cuba", she said.

By her side, Tony in his plea explained before the Court, how the 90 decade terrorist activities against Cuba were intensified ….." What Could Cuba do to defend itself and be alert about terrorist plans against it ? What could it do to avoid the conflict of a great magnitude ? What choices does it have to save sovereignty and safety of its kids?…..One of the ways to stop bloody acts and avoid suffering to increase with more deaths, it was to act in silence…..

"We have not behaved like this because of money, not regret. Non of us have had the idea of harming the noble and working North American people. We do not harm the national security of this country…"

1) Quoted Verses taken from the poem "I am not alone" of Antonio Guerrero