NCI # 357422
PO Box 665
Somers, CT 06071

See the Political Prisoners page for more information about Avelino González Claudio.

Avelino González- Claudio # 357422
Unit 1 West Cell 213
PO Box 665
Somers, CT

González’ attorney, James Bergenn, suggested that his client be under house arrest and monitored by an electronic bracelet. Family members offered collateral of real estate worth $500,000. However, Smith said that González remained a fugitive for 23 years, and that the robbery was the largest bank robbery in the history of the United States, making the charges “incredibly serious.”

The robbery was allegedly carried out by Victor Gerena, a Wells Fargo driver recruited by The Macheteros. González is accused of helping Gerena flee the United States with the booty, which weighed almost half a ton. The FBI believes that Gerena and part of the money traveled first to Mexico and then to Cuba.

The Macheteros allegedly used the money to finance several bombings and other attacks to promote independence for the island. Their alleged leader, Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, died in 2005 in a shootout with the FBI at a farm in Puerto Rico.

Gerena and González’ brother, Norberto González Claudio, are the only suspects who remain fugitives. Gerena continues to be on the FBI’s ten most wanted list, with a reward of a million dollars for his capture.

A federal prosecutor on Monday attempted to link Avelino Gonzalez-Claudio to rocket attacks in Puerto Rico while arguing that the alleged Puerto Rican militant should be detained without bail for a 1983 armored car robbery in Connecticut.

Gonzalez, 65, was one of more than a dozen reputed members of the nationalist group Los Macheteros, who authorities say planned and carried out the $7 million heist at the Wells Fargo depot in West Hartford. Authorities say the robbery was the largest ever in the United States at the time.

He pleaded not guilty in February to 15 federal charges including robbery and conspiracy. His lawyer and relatives said there’s no evidence that he committed any acts of violence or was involved in the robbery.

Read more:

HARTFORD, Conn.: A detention hearing is scheduled Monday for an alleged Puerto Rican militant who is accused of taking part in a robbery of a Wells Fargo armored car depot in West Hartford 25 years ago.

Avelino Gonzalez Claudio is scheduled to appear in federal court in Hartford at 2 p.m.

Read more:

See also El Nuevo Día article,
“Otra vista para presunto machetero: González Claudio va hoy a su segunda audiencia de fianza.”

Northern Correctional Institution
287 Bilton Road,
POB 665
Somers, CT 06071

On February 11 of 2008 at 3:00PM, hundreds of Puerto Rican independence activists congregated in front of the occupation “Federal” court in Hato Rey Puerto Rico. They gathered to express support for Avelino González Claudio, a Puerto Rican independence fighter detained by the FBI on February 7 of 2008.

Avelino’s detention is related to that occupation agency’s persecution of the resistance Puerto Rican independence organization known as Los Macheteros.

The FBI occupiers had been searching for Avelino for 25 years. They wanted to press charges against him for a Machetero operation against Wells Fargo in Hartford Connecticut, which led to the organization’s taking possession of $7 million from one of the company’s armored trucks.

As the demonstration was going on, a hearing was held in the occupation “Federal” court, to discuss the prosecution’s petition to extradite Avelino to Hartford. The judge granted the petition, but extradition will have to wait the conclusion of a bail hearing, which will take place on February 21, 2008 at 1:00PM. Another demonstration was called for, on the date and time of the hearing. It too will take place in front of the occupation court.

Comrades of Avelino, who had themselves served time for the Machetero operation against Wells Fargo, denounced the conditions of isolation inflicted on the independence fighter. It appears that so far his lawyer is the only one allowed access to him, and he is kept away from other prisoners. The place where he is kept was described as a very small steel encased cell.

Some of the picket participants reported that FBI agents have been trespassing on the homes of independence activists and their families, to offer money in exchange for information. The Independence Movement has a long standing tradition of non- collaboration with the U.S. occupiers’ repressive agencies.

Persons representing other struggles, like the Campaign to Stop Paseo Caribe, and the landless community of Villa Sin Miedo, attended the event and sent messages of support.

Former political prisoners Alicia Rodriguez, Lolita Lebron, Ida Luz Rodriguez, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Luis Rosa, Edwin Cortez, Hilton Fernandez, Raymon Soto, and Orlando González Claudio, (brother to Avelino,) were present at the demonstration. They wanted to express their appreciation for Avelino’s sacrifices for the independence struggle of Puerto Rico.

One of the most moving moments of the demonstration, occurred when Orlando González Claudio narrated an incident that occurred in 1985, in which the FBI tried to coerce his elderly mother into urging Avelino and his brother Norberto to surrender to the occupation. What she did was to go to the media and urge them to remain in clandestinity, to keep doing what they must for the freedom of their people, even if it cost her the ability to see them again during her lifetime. Orlando closed his narration by urging his brother Norberto González Claudio, (who is still at large,) to comply with their mothers wishes and remain fighting in clandestinity.

Manifestantes Apoyan a Luchador Independentista Recien Detenido

Por Marta Rodríguez

El 11 de febrero de 2008 a las 3:00PM, centenares de activistas independentistas se congregaron frente a la Corte “Federal” invasora en Hato Rey Puerto Rico. Llegaron con el propósito de manifestar su apoyo al luchador independentista puertorriqueño Avelino González Claudio, quien había sido detenido por el FBI el 7 de febrero del 2008. La detención de Avelino está relacionada a la persecución que esa agencia invasora ha venido librando contra la organización de resistencia patriótica conocida como Los Macheteros.

La búsqueda de Avelino por estos invasores lleva unos 25 años. Pues estos querían someterle cargos por un operativo de los Macheteros contra la Wells Fargo en Hartford Connecticut, el cual les permitio expropiar $7 millones de uno de sus camiones blindados.

Durante la manifestación, se efectuo una vista en la corte “Federal” invasora, en la cual se discutio la petición que hiciera la fiscalía para extraditar a Avelino a Hartford. El juez concedio la petición, pero la extradición no se efectuara hasta que se celebre la vista de fianza. Esta fue fijada para el 21 de febrero de 2008 a la 1:00PM. Otra manifestación frente a la corte fue convocada para la fecha y hora de esa vista.

Compañeros de Avelino, los cuales cumplieron sentencias carcelarias por el operativo de los Macheteros contra la Wells Fargo, denunciaron las condiciones de aislamiento impuestas al luchador independentista. Aparentemente, solo su abogado ha podido verlo, y se le mantiene aislado del resto de la población penal. El lugar donde se le mantiene fue descrito como una celda de acero extremadamente pequeña.

Algunos de los manifestantes informaron que agentes del FBI han estado irrumpiendo en los hogares de otros independentistas y sus familiares, para ofrecerles dinero a cambio de información. El independentismo ha mantenido por años una postura firme de no colaboración ante las agencias represivas de los invasores norteamericanos.

El piquete conto con la representación de otras luchas, tales como la Campaña contra el Paseo Boricua, y la Comunidad rescatadora de terrenos de Villa Sin Miedo. Estas enviaron personas a representarlos o hicieron llegar sus mensages de apoyo.

Los ex Prisioneros Políticos Alicia Rodríguez, Lolita Lebrón, Ida Luz Rodriguez, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Luis Rosa, Edwin Cortez, Hilton Fernandez, Raymon Soto, y Orlando González Claudio (hermano de Avelino,) hicieron acto de presencia en la manifestación. Estos expresaron su agradecimiento por los sacrificios de Avelino por la lucha libertaria del pueblo puertorriqueño.

Uno de los momentos mas conmovedores de la manifestación se dio cuando Orlando González Claudio narro un incidente ocurrido en el 1985, en el cual agentes del FBI trataron de presionar a su mamá a instar a Avelino y a Norberto a entregarse. En lugar de hacer eso, ella fue ante los medios noticiosos y les insto a que siguieran luchando por la libertad de su pueblo desde el clandestinage, aunque esto le costara la abilidad de volverlos a ver. Orlando termino su narrativa instando a su hermano Norberto González Claudio, a seguir luchando desde la clandestinidad, honrando así los deseos de su madre.