Elian Gonzalez Would Like To Return To The US, But Only As A Tourist

Cuban Elián Gonzalez is making new headlines, after revealing in an exclusive interview with Jim Avila of ABC News, that he'd like to return to the United States.

Elián first made headlines in 1999 when he was spotted by fishermen floating off of Florida's coast, after the boat he was in with his mother and 10 other Cubans capsized, killing everyone abroad except Gonzalez, then 6 years old. Safe and sound in the U.S., the young boy was the center of a controversy between Cuba and the U.S. over whether he should remain in this country with his relatives in Miami or be returned to his father, Juan Miguel González, in Cuba. In April 2000, armed federal agents entered the Miami resident where Elián was staying and seized the boy. He was flown to Washington, D.C., before he was sent back to Cuba.

Gonzalez is now a 21-year-old man living in Cuba, studying engineering and engaged to his fiancée Ilianet Escaño, reports ABC News. He also has the intention to go back to the U.S. and visit the people who helped him and his family.

"For my family it has always been, we always have the desire to say to the American people, to say to each household our gratitude, appreciation and love that we have," he said. "Perhaps one day we could pay a visit to the United States. I could personally thank those people who helped us, who were there by our side. Because we're so grateful for what they did."

Though he has great appreciation for the U.S and American people, Gonzalez said he'd like to visit the country but only as a tourist. His plans include to see a baseball game and visit museums in Washington.