Gillian Gunn Clissold’s academic career resembles that of the many professors and researchers truly dedicated to their area of study.
During her 10 years at Georgetown, almost six of which were spent as director of the Caribbean Project within the university’s Center for Latin American Studies, she was considered one of the leading American experts on Cuba, having traveled to the island nation almost once a year for 14 years.
But recent reports have accused Gunn of being more than academically interested in Cuba — a U.S. lieutenant has named her as a spy for the Cuban government. Gunn has denied the allegation, calling it “preposterous.”
“The way [the unnamed Cuban officer’s] section worked academics was they would find sympathetic academics and provide them with opportunities to visit Cuba and [have] access to the highest government officials,” he told THE HOYA. “In exchange, [the academics] would discuss their meetings with U.S. government officials in an effort to change U.S. policy.”
Simmons said he is making these allegations as a private citizen, and he emphasized that his views do not reflect the views of the federal government. He added that he conducts his research primarily through his company, the Cuban Intelligence Research Center, which is located in Leesburg, Va.