After their ill-advised decision to hang an artist's self-portrait glorifying the murderous psychopath Ché Guevara, the manager of the W Hotel in South Beach and the CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts had the honor of receiving letters from Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:

February 13, 2013

Mr. George Cozonis
General Manager
W South Beach
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33 139

Dear Mr. Cozonis:

I would like to request that, due to the sensitivity of many in the Cuban-American
community, the W Hotel in Miami Beach substitute a portrait that resembles Che Guevara that is being displayed. Although it is the artist's self portrait, it resembles a well recognized Che Guevara photograph which includes the same type of pose and beret.

I fully respect your right to display any artwork in your hotel, but South Florida has a large number of Cuban-Americans and many have been victims of the brutality of the totalitarian regime associated with Che Guevara. Che Guevara sent many innocent Cubans before firing squads and personally killed civilians during the start of the Castro regime.

Throughout the South Florida community that I proudly represent, the painful image of Che Guevara is not forgotten. I hope that your hotel finds an artwork that would not invoke memories of a sadistic killer.

Sincerely,

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress

View original letter HERE.

Read the letter to Starwood Hotels & Resorts CEO below the fold and original HERE.

February 1 3, 20 13

Mr. Frits Van Paasschen
President & Chief Executive Officer,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
One Starpoint
Stamford, CT 06902

Dear Mr. Van Paasschen:

I would like to request that, due to the sensitivity of many in the Cuban-American
community, the W Hotel in Miami Beach substitute a portrait that resembles Che Guevara that is being displayed. Although it is the artist's self portrait, it resembles a well recognized Che Guevara photograph which includes the same type of pose and beret.

I fully respect your right to display any artwork in your hotel, but South Florida has a
large number of Cuban-Americans and many have been victims of the brutality of the totalitarian regime associated with Che Guevara. Che Guevara sent many innocent Cubans before firing squads and personally killed civilians during the start of the Castro regime.

Throughout the South Florida community that I proudly represent, the painful image of Che Guevara is not forgotten. I hope that your hotel finds an artwork that would not invoke memories of a sadistic killer.

Sincerely,

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress