Elian Gonzalez Case
Elian becomes Castro's
Political Trophy

 
 


Elian is next to Fidel Castro at the May Day 2002 rally in the
Plaza of the Revolution, Havana. His father is on the extreme right.



 
 

        ''The privacy and the innocence of the child should be protected,''
        said Cuba's Conference of Bishops. Miami Herald, Dec. 9, 1999.

 
        "My hope is that people will look at this little boy and get him into a situation
        where he can live a normal life without television cameras and the world in his
        face." Janet Reno, CNN, Jan. 13, 2000. 

 
                     "Although the Cuban government previously had referred to an unspecified period of "transition" 
                     for the boy, it has said repeatedly that it does not plan to turn Elian into a political "trophy" but
                     that it will send him back to his hometown to live a normal life." Washington Post, April 18, 2000.

 
 
Mbeki, Castro visit Cuban 'miracle' boy Elian
Elian is the only one not smiling.
(March 29, 2001) 
Elian, his father, and Fidel Castro at a political
             act at the Carlos Marx theater, March 13, 2002.
 

 
Elian's birthday party, Dec. 5, 2003
Elian's birthday party, Dec. 5, 2003

 
Castro with Elian and his family at
Santa Clara rally, July 26, 2004
Castro with Elian and his family at
             Santa Clara rally, July 26, 2004

 
 
Castro was with Elian on Oct. 20, 2004, when he fell and broke his knee.

 
 


December 7, 2005