Alan Gross

Alan Gross at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland

Alan Gross goes from a Cuban jail to a guest of honor at the State of the Union

He's a symbol of a political victory for President Barack Obama: Former Cuban prisoner Alan Gross will be a guest of honor at the State of the Union address Tuesday. Gross was released after the US and Cuba negotiated a deal to normalize relations.

Alan Gross goes from a Cuban jail to a guest of honor at the State of the Union
'Wild' author Cheryl Strayed, pictured with Reese Witherspoon, who has been nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Strayed, who trekked for 1,100 to try to put substance abuse and her mother's death behind her.

'Wild' author among provocative guests at State of the Union

'Wild' author among provocative guests at State of the Union
The "Cuban Five," a group of five intelligence officers recently returned to Cuba in an exchange with the United States, celebrate on stage with musical artist Silvio Rodriguez.

The 'Cuban Five' make an unexpected, joyous homecoming in Havana

The 'Cuban Five' make an unexpected, joyous homecoming in Havana
President Obama announces the thaw in US-Cuban relations

In Havana, Cubans are already welcoming a new era with the US

In Havana, Cubans are already welcoming a new era with the US
Demonstrators gathered for a rally for American detainee Alan Gross in Washington, DC, during December 2013.

After five years in a Cuban jail, an American contractor is 'literally wasting away'

After five years in a Cuban jail, an American contractor is 'literally wasting away'
Alan Gross

US contractor Alan Gross starts a hunger strike in hopes of being released from a Cuban military prison

US Contractor Alan Gross has been imprisoned in Cuba for the last four years on charges of spying. He's now going on a hunger strike. He says it's to protest both the Cuban and US government. Peter Kornbluh, of the National Security Archive, explains the real danger of Gross doing such a move, both for the contractor and for US Cuban relations.

US contractor Alan Gross starts a hunger strike in hopes of being released from a Cuban military prison
Judy Gross the wife of a U.S. contractor jailed in Cuba for crimes against the state, speaks at a rally for her husband's release in Florida.

It's four years and counting for one American in a Cuban jail cell

Smuggling satellite phones and computer equipment into Cuba landed one former USAID contractor in a Cuban jail four years ago. This week, Alan Gross wrote President Obama asking why he's been forgotten and "abandoned" there.

It's four years and counting for one American in a Cuban jail cell

Cuba Proposes Exchange Deal for Imprisoned American, Alan Gross

Cuba has held American Alan Gross for the past three years for distributing illegal communications equipment on behalf of the US government.

Cuba Proposes Exchange Deal for Imprisoned American, Alan Gross

Wife of American Held in Cuba Hoping for Papal Help

The wife of an American man convicted of espionage in Cuba is hoping that the Pope's visit there can help bring her husband, Alan Gross home.

Wife of American Held in Cuba Hoping for Papal Help