In 1999 the entire United States seemed to be obsessed with the fate of a small Cuban boy named Elian Gonzalez who had ended up in Miami and at the center of an international custody battle.

The whole affair looked like something out some kind of made for TV tearjerker. Elian's mother had drowned while attempting reach the U.S. from Cuba with her son and her boyfriend in tow, and then Elian was taken in by his relatives in Florida, staying with family he did not really know for months.

Aside from the massive public reaction to the images of federal agents retrieving the frightened child at gunpoint, Gonzalez’s plight inspired memorable Saturday Night Live skits, as well as a truly hilarious protest song called “Viva Che!” that informs the boy that “I know that Cuba isn’t made of gold, but milk is being rationed there I’m told.”

Now, Elian is a strapping young man of 21, and has been living very well in Cuba, where there are even a couple of statues of him.

As relations between the U.S. and Cuba seem to be cooling down, Elian has expressed his desire to come back to the country that did not want to let him go.

Speaking to ABC News, Gonzalez said that he would indeed like to come back to the United States as a tourist. Once back, he would enjoy seeing a baseball game, visiting Washington museums, and just talking to Americans whom he is quick to thank for their concern over his well-being.

"To the American people, first I say thank you for the love they give me," he said, adding that: "I want the time to give my love to American people."

"I could personally thank those people who helped us,” said Elian about his possible upcoming visit, adding that he and his family are so grateful for all that Americans had done for him.

Watch the ABC News report:


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