Cuban actors missing, defection suspected

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NEW YORK, April 23 (UPI) -- The whereabouts are unknown for two Cuban actors headed to the United States for the premiere of their defection drama "Una Noche," The New York Times said.

Javier Nunez Florian and Anailin de la Rua de la Torre flew from Cuba to Florida last week, but did not arrive for the movie's premiere at Manhattan's Tribeca Film Festival, prompting the Spanish-language press in Miami to speculate the first-time actors are seeking asylum in the United States for real, the Times said.

"Though they've made difficult choices about what to do at present, I wish them the very best in all their endeavors and I hope I will get to see them again soon," the film's director Lucy Mulloy told the newspaper. "I would love to know that they are well."

The actors' co-star, Dariel Arrechada, attended the film festival and plans to head home to Cuba when it is over, the report said.

"Though we all miss them, and I miss them very much, I am confident they will do what is best for them," the Times quoted Arrechada as saying in a statement. "My heart is with them, and I hope they are safe and well."