In this file photo released on October 12, 2011 by the state media Cubadebate website, convicted Cuban agent Rene Gonzalez talks on the phone accompanied by his daughter Ivette. – Ap
HAVANA (AP):
A Cuban spy who spent 13 years in a United States (US) prison renounced his American citizenship today, part of a deal that allows him to avoid returning to the United States to serve out the remainder of his probation.
Rene Gonzalez arrived at the US diplomatic compound in Havana accompanied by his wife and children as well as an American lawyer.
He waved as onlookers shouted his name from surrounding buildings, but did not make any statement.
The 56-year-old is one of the so-called 'Cuban Five', intelligence agents convicted in 2001 of spying on US military installations in South Florida, exile groups and politicians.
Gonzalez was released in 2011 but ordered to remain in the US while he served out three years of probation.
The other four agents remain in jail.
The five are celebrated as heroes in Cuba, with their faces staring down from highway billboards and out of shrines at government offices and state-owned restaurants.