Sons from Cuba to visit dad who served in Iraq

Posted on Tue, Oct. 18, 2005

Latin American briefs

From Herald Wire Services

CUBA

Sons from Cuba to visit dad who served in Iraq

A Cuban American who won a Bronze Star in Iraq but was not allowed to
return to his homeland to care for a sick son said Monday that his
children are being allowed to visit the United States.

Under an agreement with the State Department and the Cuban government,
Sgt. Carlos Lazo's two sons, 17-year-old Carlos Rafael Lazo and
19-year-old Carlos Manuel Lazo, will visit for three months. Lazo, a
sergeant in the Washington state National Guard, plans to fly to Miami
on Friday to meet them.

The family's plight had drawn national media attention and prompted
lawmakers from both parties to complain about the strict limits imposed
on travel to Cuba by the Bush administration.

The rules, meant to punish the Communist government of Fidel Castro,
limit family visits to once every three years.

''First of all, I'm very grateful for the outcome of this,'' Lazo said.
``On the other hand, I feel sad because there are thousands of Cuban
Americans -- especially in Miami -- who, due to these restrictions,
cannot see their families.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/12929230.htm