Berta Barreto de los Heros papers

Berta Barreto de los Heros was born in Camaguey, Cuba, in 1914. She was most prominently known for her role as the Coordinator of the Cuban Families Committee for the Liberation of the Bay of Pigs Prisoners of War, Inc. She was married to Dr. Guy Pérez Cisneros Bonnel, Cuban diplomat, professor, and art critic, from 1937 until their divorce in 1943. She and Pérez Cisneros had three children: Guy, Francisco, and Pablo. Barreto de los Heros’ son, Pablo Pérez-Cisneros, finished and published Barreto de los Heros’ book, After the Bay of Pigs: Lives and Liberty on the Line, in 2007, which was sold exclusively by the popular Miami pharmacy, Navarro.

In a 2012 article her son, Pablo, writes: “My mother, who lived in Havana at the time, became involved because my late brother was among the captured fighters. She was instrumental in initiating negotiations with Castro and inviting the Miami committee members to meet with the new Cuban leader at her home on the island — with the promise that millions would be paid for the men.”

Working from her home in Havana, Cuba, Barreto de los Heros was instrumental in negotiating, along with American attorney James B. Donovan, Milan C. Miskovsky of the CIA, and others, the release of 1,113 political prisoners in exchange for food and medicine given to the Cuban government. Her son from her first marriage, Alberto Oms Barreto, was one of the 1,400 men who participated in the failed Bays of Pigs invasion and also one of the 1,200 captured. It was reported that the Cuban Families Committee knew Barreto de los Heros well and asked her to take charge of the committee and to meet with Castro through his secretary, Conchita Fernández. On April 10, 1962, Barreto de los Heros met with Castro in her home, and shortly after, the first group of prisoners consisting of 60 wounded and sick men were released and flown back to Miami. It is said that Attorney Donovan set up a secret code for her to use since her phone was being tapped. After days of tense negotiations involving many lawyers, private American companies, and the Red Cross, two days before Christmas of 1962, 484 prisoners were released back to Miami and the remaining 719 prisoners returned the next day, on Christmas Eve. Barreto de los Heros left Cuba for Miami on one of the last planes out. It is reported that she refused to shake Castro’s extended hand, and he remarked: "Pride has the face of a woman."

After her arrival in Miami, she continued to devote herself to service to others, including serving on the Hispanic Committee of Dade County Mental Health Association and helping to achieve community construction projects. One of the fellow committee members recalls that Barreto de los Heros arranged a productive interview with then mayor of Miami, Xavier Suarez. Her daughter-in-law also mentions Barreto de los Heros’ efforts to help the elderly vote by absentee ballot to make sure they could exercise their right to vote.

Barreto de los Heros died in 1993. "She cared and made an effort to get us out of the quagmire. She gave us our great freedom," said Modesto Castaner, former president of Brigade 2506. "It is a pain for the brigade members that will be in our hearts."