Cuban officials expect protests to continue even if Elian Gonzalez returns from the United States

January 18, 2000
Web posted at: 9:52 p.m. EST (0252 GMT)

From CNN Havana Bureau Chief Lucia Newman

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN)-- For nearly four decades, Cubans have protested against U.S. policy before the United Nations and any other international forum that will listen.

Now the campaign for the return of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez has inspired a place for a permanent protest -- at home in Havana.

The boy's mother drowned trying to smuggle Elian into the United States. The boy was rescued at sea November 25 after clinging to an inner tube for two days. He has been staying with relatives in Miami who do not want him to return to Cuba, a situation that has produced widespread protests in Cuba and a political dilemma for the U.S. government.

Officials in Havana say that even after the boy is returned to Cuba -- and they're confident he will be -- protests will continue as long as the United States continues what Havana calls criminal acts of political and economic aggression.

VIDEO CNN's Lucia Newman reports on Cubans' growing frustration. (January 18) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     ALSO     MESSAGE BOARD US/Cuba relations

At least for now, the sounds of building have replaced the chants of protesters in front of the U.S. compound in Havana.

Construction crews are working around the clock to convert the area known as "Fourth of July Park" into a permanent outdoor stage for demonstrations.

Many locals say they'll miss the fountain that was there before but are resigned to the change.

"They took away the little park that was so pretty, but they say they're going to build something better," said one woman.

While the protest park is being prepared, Cuban officials denounce attempts in the United States to award Elian U.S. citizenship. They say it is tantamount to stealing the boy's Cuban nationality.

"For almost two months, he has been arbitrarily separated from his father and his four grandparents," said Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba's parliament.

Youngster enjoys school holiday

On Wednesday, a petition is expected to be filed in federal court in Miami seeking a hearing on the issue of political asylum for the boy.

To get such a hearing, lawyers for the boy's Miami relatives must convince a federal judge that they have standing in the case.

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, backed by Attorney General Janet Reno, has decided the boy's father in Cuba is the only one who may legally speak for his son on immigration matters.

Construction crews in Havana work on a permanent outdoor stage for demonstrations

However, Juan Miguel Gonzalez has declined requests to come to the United States either to bring his son home or to reconsider his insistence that the boy return to Cuba.

The Miami relatives' lawyers, in effect, are trying to get the court to overturn the INS decision by showing that Elian would face persecution, psychological and possibly physical harm if sent back to Cuba.

A state court already has granted the boy's great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez, temporary custody of the child.

In the meantime, Cuba's complaints will soon have a permanent place to be heard.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.