Ex-Cuban spy offers to renounce US citizenship

MIAMI (AP):

A convicted Cuban spy offered yesterday to renounce his United States (US) citizenship if a judge will allow him to finish serving a probation sentence in Cuba.

René Gonzalez was recently permitted to visit Cuba for two weeks following his father's death and is due back May 6. His lawyer said in court papers that Gonzalez, 56, is willing to renounce his citizenship while in Havana at the US Interests Section, but only if he can serve his remaining months of probation there.

Gonzalez, who has dual Cuban and US citizenship, "does not wish to run afoul of any of this court's orders and rulings," attorney Philip Horowitz wrote. "He will not seek to renounce his citizenship without this court's permission."

no immediate ruling

US District Judge Joan Lenard issued no immediate ruling. The Miami US attorney's office has previously opposed allowing Gonzalez to complete his three-year probation term in Cuba because he would be beyond the reach of a US court's ability to enforce it.

Gonzalez is one of the so-called Cuban Five convicted of spying on exiles in Florida and attempting to infiltrate military installations and political campaigns. They are hailed as heroes in Cuba, which claims they are victims of political persecution.

Gonzalez was released from prison in 2011 after serving about 13 years. He has been living at an undisclosed location in the United States. His wife and daughters live in Cuba.