Cuba to punish producers of scents named "Ernesto" and "Hugo"

HAVANA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua/Sun) -- The Cuban government announced here Saturday that it will punish officials of Labiofam for naming two perfumes after the guerrilla fighter Ernesto Che Guevara and late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

"Because of this serious error, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken," said a statement of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers published by the daily Granma.

Officials of Labiofam announced this week during a convention of the company in Havana that the two fragrances, still under development, will be named "Ernesto" and "Hugo."

The official statement said details of this irresponsible action were thoroughly analyzed on Friday night with the director of the company and officials who presented the colognes.

"It was clear that relatives of Guevara and Chavez had not approved such a use of their names," said the statement, adding that "initiatives of this type will never be accepted by our people or by the revolutionary government."

"Symbols are sacred, yesterday, today and forever," the statement said.

Labiofam is the biggest producer of natural products run by the Cuban government