APRIL 28, 1999
April 27, 1999
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A top bodyguard for Cuba's Fidel Castro who defected April 17 at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo has been flown to the United States, a U.S. official confirmed Tuesday.
The bodyguard was flown to Miami Friday, and then on to an unknown destination, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
U.S. State Department sources have identified the defector as Capt. Lazaro de Betancourt, second-in-command in the security team that guards the Cuban leader.
De Betancourt appeared without warning at the U.S. Embassy during a Santo Domingo meeting of Latin American and Caribbean leaders and asked to defect. He is the first known member of Castro's security team to defect in 40 years.
The bodyguard was flown to the United States on a civilian airplane despite speculation he might leave with U.S. military officials visiting Santo Domingo to inspect hurricane repairs, the U.S. official said.
The defection came a year after Cuba and the Dominican Republic restored diplomatic ties. In August, Castro made his first visit to the neighboring country since coming to power in 1959.
Copyright 1999 The Associated Press
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