Around 15 years ago, some of our readers and friends began asking as to who this Jean Guy Allard, who wrote such convincing articles in Granma and Granma International, was. Their healthy curiosity about the journalist, evidently born in another part of the world, stemmed from his direct and frank writing style.
“Is it a pseudonym or is that his name?” they would ask.
At first I avoided answering, as I really didn’t know whether I should. It was so significant for us to have found someone who, despite not coming or arising from our ranks, constantly came to our defense.
I liked the idea when it was suggested, it seemed necessary, as at times we could be complacent in our own defense. Without ignoring the efforts of Cuban journalists in such an intense task, the inclusion of a friend who felt like one of us would only strengthen our ranks.
Suddenly I remembered Jean Guy, and thought that maybe he was the man for the job. I had met him in Havana during one of his visits. Sandra Smith, Granma International’s representative in Canada, in whose judgment I fully trusted, recommended I talk with him.
I had a very good impression of him on meeting, as I immediately liked his fraternal familiarity; his perennial smile.
We addressed each other informally, with complete naturalness, as he exuded frankness. It was as if I had known him my whole life, especially given the focus and conviction he demonstrated through what he said. I liked how proud he was of his French origins and that his country had prevented the Anglophones from swallowing up the French language he loved. He also accepted my complaint that I had seen few books in Canada in the language of Víctor Hugo.
Among those first pieces, I really liked the way he referred to the murderer Luis Posada Carriles and his henchmen, specifically the terrorist organization which was under the command of one of his agents-mercenaries, Santiago Álvarez Fernández-Magriñá. Or the attacks on national territory by the gang who, in their hasty flight, left behind propaganda leaflets and a flag with the name Alpha 66. And the indignation with which he chronicled the crimes of those paid assassins: “The whole town was under fire. There was not a single house without bullet marks.”
His years with us at Granma International were happy ones. You could tell he enjoyed the job which matched his ideals. We will always remember his greetings, his courageous articles, his natural kindness, his enthusiastic affection for Canada and toward Cuba.
We will never forget you.
Hasta siempre Jean Guy.
