Manuel Menéndez Castellanos, former secretary of the Communist Party in the province of Cienfuegos and a former member of Fidel Castro's "coordination and support team," arrived at Miami International Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The news was reported by journalist Mario J. Pentón, who was a direct witness to the arrival of the former party leader.
Menéndez Castellano -who would have arrived through family reunification- tried to go unnoticed by wearing a cap, a face mask, and glasses. He also arrived in a wheelchair and carrying a black briefcase on his lap.
His own family did not recognize him at first, and it was he who greeted them with "good afternoon" to let them know of his presence.
When the journalist Mario J. Pentón identified himself as a journalist to the former leader, Menéndez Castellano attempted to grab the camera, covered his face, and said: “I’m going home.”
His family tried to protect him and denied any kind of statement.
Menéndez Castellanos worked for the Cuban regime since 1972. He initially linked to the Central Union of Cuban Workers (CTC) and was later promoted to First Secretary of the Communist Party in Cienfuegos, a position he held from 1993 to 2003.
Deputy to the National Assembly for several years, Menéndez Castellanos was also a representative of the regime at international events such as the Congress of the Communist Party of Venezuela and the 10th Anniversary of the Unification of Yemen.
Although the entry into the United States of some former leaders or their relatives has been barred, the list of those who have successfully entered is also growing.
Among those who have entered is Arelys Casañola Quintana, former president of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of the Isle of Youth, who settled in Kentucky after requesting asylum in April of this year at the southern border through the CBPOne application.
Two nieces of the Prime Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero, also arrived in the United States: one through the border, where she requested asylum, and the other through the humanitarian parole program.
The judge from Villa Clara, Melody González Pedraza, linked to the trials of 11J, tried to enter through humanitarian parole but was denied. The jurist requested political asylum and is currently detained awaiting a court ruling.
Among those who were prevented from entering are Liván Fuentes Álvarez, former president of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of the Isle of Youth, and a son of Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.
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