Elian Gonzalez criticizes US, praises Cuba's progress

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Elian Gonzalez, the child famous for being at the center of an international custody battle between Cuba and the United States in 2000, made headlines as he traveled for the first time outside of Cuba and granted an interview with CNN.

CNN caught up with Gonzalez, now 20 years old, at a youth conference in Quito, Ecuador.

In the interview, he criticized U.S. embargoes against Cuba, saying that just like his mother who drowned during his trip to the United States, "many others have died attempting to go to the United States. But it's the U.S. government's fault. Their unjust embargo provokes an internal and critical economic situation in Cuba."

Nevertheless, Gonzalez said, "Cuba, even with all its problems has progressed over the years. The progress we've made is all thanks to Cuba's courage, our dignity, our continued fight for a more just model."

He described his life in Cuba since leaving Miami as "magnificent."

[UPI] [CNN]