Following an explanation that Mexican officials say leaves too many questions unanswered, Mexico has asked Cuba for further information about the activities of late drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes on the island.

The Sept. 22 Cuban government letter, whose contents were revealed Monday by the Mexican daily Reforma, acknowledged that Carrillo Fuentes -- known as ``The Lord of the Skies'' -- visited the island on at least four occasions over the past three years.

The three-page Cuban government letter, written in response to an official Mexican inquiry into Carrillo Fuentes' activities on the island, said the drug lord had made inquiries about possible investments in Cuba's Mariel free trade zone, but had not materialized any business deals.

``He did not establish a residence, nor did he have any children [in Cuba],'' the letter said. ``He had occasional love affairs with Cuban women, including one with Marta Venus, but there are no indications that she knew his real identity.''

It said Carrillo Fuentes, whom U.S. officials described as the world's biggest drug trafficker before his accidental July 4 death during cosmetic surgery in Mexico City, visited the island under the name of Juan Antonio Arriaga Rangel.

Mexican investigators told The Herald that the Cuban government letter raises several questions, because it seems to contradict the testimony of a top Carrillo Fuentes associate who is now in custody in Mexico.

Jesus Bitar Tafich, 52, a close associate of the late drug lord, told Mexican authorities that Carrillo Fuentes had married a Cuban woman named Marta and that the couple had a 2-year-old daughter named Martita.

Furthermore, Bitar Tafich told Mexican investigators that Carrillo Fuentes lived in a Cuban government guest house in Havana's Vedado section.

``The [Cuban government] letter is a snow job,'' a well-placed Mexican government investigator told The Herald. ``We have asked them for further clarifications.''