When Cuban Néstor Baguer died, aged 83 in 2004, it was the
end of a number of interesting careers.
Baguer started his professional life at 14, when he
published his first newspaper articles. He worked for numerous Cuban newspapers
and radio stations and was co-founder of the journalist’s union. For his works
on the Spanish language, he was made a distinguished member of the Cuban
Academy of the Language.
Another career was that of dissident and outspoken agitator,
using Miami-based news agencies and websites to campaign for over a decade
against Fidel Castro and expose the miseries of everyday life under the
dictatorship. Fêted by the anti-communist lobby in exile as the doyen of
domestic resistance, he was an honoured guest and protegé in the United States
Interest Section at the Swiss Embassy in Havana. Reviled by his former
colleagues in the Cuban media, he was expelled from the Academy and his press
credentials were withdrawn.
His third career was being the priceless “agent Octavio” for
the Cuban secret service, infiltrating dissident circles and filing meticulous
reports on their activities and funding. His espionage only came to light when
he gave crucial testimony against 75 activists jailed last April for
“conspiracy with the USA to undermine Cuba’s national sovereignty”. His cover
blown, public honours were restored and he was acclaimed as a hero of the
revolution.
It shows again that not every beret wearer is as honourable as
he looks under his beret…
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