Elian Gonzalez Is All Grown Up, and He's Mad

Says it's US' fault his mom died
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 11, 2013 2:05 PM CST
Elian Gonzalez Is All Grown Up, and He's Mad
In this 2010 file photo, Elian Gonzalez attends an official event with Cuba President Raul Castro in Havana.   (AP Photo/Adalberto Roque, File Pool)

Remember Elian Gonzalez? Well, he's not the little boy the US sent back to Cuba anymore. Gonzalez turned 20 last week, and he isn't happy with his almost-home. In an interview with CNN yesterday, Gonzalez said he blamed the US for the death of his mother, who drowned along with nine other people en route to Florida 14 years ago. "Just like her, many others have died attempting to go to the United States," Gonzalez said. "But it's the US government's fault. Their unjust embargo provokes an internal and critical economic situation in Cuba."

Gonzalez is in Ecuador for the World Festival of Youths and Students, which he's been asked to speak at. "The main reason we're here is because we want a revolutionary progressive movement that leads to socialism," he says. And no, he's not upset the US sent him back; he describes Cuban life as "magnificent," and says being dragged from his relatives' home at gunpoint left no mental scars. "It has not affected me psychologically, but it has been hard for my family. Those were tough times." (More Elian Gonzalez stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X