Elián González two decades on: From focus of international tug-of-war to member of Cuba’s congress

Cuban boy castaway Elián González becomes a lawmaker - Odessa American

By ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ The Associated Press HAVANA Elián González has the same big, expressive eyes he did 23 years ago when an international custody battle transformed him into the face of the long-strained relations between Cuba and the United States. Now 29, González is stepping into Cuban politics. He recently entered his country’s congress with hopes of helping his people at a time of record emigration and heightened tension between the two s…

Cuban boy castaway Elián González becomes a lawmaker

HAVANA (AP) — Elián González has the same big, expressive eyes he did 23 years ago when an international custody battle transformed him into the face of the long-strained relations between Cuba and the United States.

Famous castaway Elián González is now a Cuban lawmaker

González has given only a handful of interviews since he was unwittingly thrust into the geopolitical spotlight as a boy. In 1999, at just 5 years old, he and his mother were aboard a boat of Cuban…

Cuban boy castaway Elián González becomes lawmaker

In 1999, at just 5 years old, Elián González and his mother were aboard a boat of Cuban migrants headed toward Florida when the boat capsized in the Florida Straits.

Cuban boy castaway Elián González becomes lawmaker

In 1999, at just 5 years old, Elián González and his mother were aboard a boat of Cuban migrants headed toward Florida when the boat capsized in the Florida Straits.

Cuban boy castaway Elián González becomes lawmaker

In 1999, at just 5 years old, Elián González and his mother were aboard a boat of Cuban migrants headed toward Florida when the boat capsized in the Florida Straits.