Kcho's reproduction of El Hueco attracts thousands of visitors

Under the title No agradezcan el silencio (Do not thank the silence), the work is an initiative of Cuban artist Alexis Leyva Machado (Kcho) and reproduces with amazing accuracy the mistreatments Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, René González and Fernando González received.

The work was inaugurated last April 6 in one of the rooms of the National Fine Arts Museum and anyone who decides to visit the small maximum security prison should be subdued to be handcuffed and feet chained, something common to US prison regimen.

Ana María González, Leyva Machado´s assistant, informed to AIN news service that foreign visitors and groups of Cuban institutions and of solidarity with the Five cause have been interested in knowing about the painful experience.

These countrymen were arrested in September, 1998 by FBI agents and isolated in punishment prison-cells for 17 months before being judged and later condemned to excessive sentences for monitoring groups responsible of terrorists’ activities against Cuba.

René González and Fernando González are already in Cuba, after totally served their sentences, but Gerardo, Antonio and Ramón are still imprisoned in US jails, therefore there is an extended world campaign demanding their freedom.

Kcho (February 12, 1970) is the author of numerous pieces that are part of public and private collections in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Translation: Liana Fleitas (Cubarte)