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Cuba VP's Daughter Defects

Dad Marino Murillo is known as a reformer

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2012 9:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Glenda Murillo Diaz, the 24-year-old daughter of Cuban Vice President Marino Murillo, has defected to the United States, and is currently living in Tampa, the AFP reports, based on a story in the Spanish-language El Nuevo Herald. Murillo Diaz came to the US via Mexico, crossing the border in Texas.

Murillo is an economist who serves as Raul Castro's "reform czar," but the Herald says his daughter's defection represents "a vote of no confidence in the economic reforms Castro has ordered." Murillo Diaz will be allowed to remain in the US thanks to its "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which stipulates that Cuban defectors can stay if they reach dry land, but that if intercepted at sea they will be returned to Cuba.

Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, speaks to Vice President of the Ministers Council Marino Murillo during a parliamentary meeting in Havana, Cuba, Friday Dec. 23, 2011.
Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, speaks to Vice President of the Ministers Council Marino Murillo during a parliamentary meeting in Havana, Cuba, Friday Dec. 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco, Prensa Latina)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Wydeeyed
Aug 28, 2012 2:15 PM CDT
Having visited Cuba I clearly understand why someone would defect. I would not wish to be forced to live under that government.  On the other hand the US policy demonstrated that it does not view Cuba as oppressive enough to grant political asylum to all as a necessity against repression. Wet foot dry foot?
joel1
Aug 28, 2012 12:14 PM CDT
 I may have met her on the bus in Kansas City.  Talked about the new 2 house policy in Cuba.  Claimed to have walked from Nicaragua to USA.  Though are illegal Cubans here.  They prefer Mexico or Canada, legally. Lets face it, Most people are takers.  Life is short.
JoeQ
Aug 28, 2012 11:44 AM CDT
What, no rants about her being an illegal alien?
 

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