Gusano. (goo-sahn-o) n. 1. worm, maggot. 2. Term coined by Fidel Castro to denounce those who have left Cuba as traitors, sellouts.
In Cuba, the word's second reference is commonly used to lambaste those who are considered deserters. But Cuban-Americans have appropriated the word to mean something like "freedom fighter" and now the first-ever Gusano Awards will celebrate those who have done most for the exile community.
New Generation Cuba welcomes all worms to wriggle over to Zarabanda, 550 Biltmore Way in Coral Gables on Thursday.
Organizers had planned to award only one gold-plated worm. But after receiving a multitude of nominations, they created two categories, one for Cubans and the other for non-Cuban gusanos. Both will carry home a custom-made, muscle-flexing worm statue.
"This is like laughing in Fidel Castro's face. They're not going to be able to make them feel belittled with that word," said Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera, a member of New Generation Cuba and the host of Cuba Today. "It's all about turning things around. It's about people who are willing to risk everything for freedom and democracy."
Rodriguez-Aguilera said the group received about 40 entries for gusanos ranging from salsa crooner Willy Chirino to New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a frequent Castro critic, and Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, the Barry University president who said EliM-an GonzM-alez should stay with his Miami relatives.
Vanessa BauzM-a can be reached at vbauza@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5007.