2011-09-26 21:30:20.412318+00 by Dan Lyke 5 comments
As reported by this MeFi entry, in 1991, Orestes Lorenzo Perez defected from Cuba to the U.S. in a MiG-23, and then launched a large publicity campaign in order to get his wife and sons out. Raúl Castro, then Minister of the Armed Forces, said "If he had the balls to steal one my MiGs, then he can come back and get his family himself!" So he did.
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comments in descending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2011-10-03 01:59:14.831493+00 by: jeff
It would definitely make for a good movie script...
#Comment Re: made: 2011-09-29 19:33:24.983558+00 by: ebradway
Meuon: At the time the guy defected, the Cuban government's official position was anyone with a visa could leave the country:
The Cuban government publicly promised that any Cuban with a visa would be allowed to leave the country, and Lorenzo had hoped the government would want to avoid creating a scandal by keeping his family.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-09-29 01:02:30.467677+00 by: meuon
I have issues with this meme. How do you leave your wife and kid behind, even with the intentions to get them out later? It's a risk proposition I can't comprehend. The risk being injury or death to the family left behind because of your actions. Great story, interesting actions by many parties.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-09-28 18:10:13.228911+00 by: Dan Lyke
Yeah, seemed a little light, I'd love to know more about how he arranged the rendezvous, but thought it was worth a little spy-thriller reading.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-09-27 23:35:41.117433+00 by: concept14
Thanks for this inspiring story.