NBC News has confirmed that Josué Colomé Vázquez, the son of Cuba's Interior Minister and top intelligence officer Abelardo Colomé Ibarra, has left the country and asked for political asylum in the U.S.
The Miami Herald reported Friday - based on the blog Cuba Al Descubierto or Cuba Uncovered - that Josué Colomé Vázquez was now living in Florida. According to the blog, he had left Cuba with a visa to go to Mexico, and had then crossed the border in Texas and joined his mother in Miami.
His mother, Suri Vázquez Ruiz, was previously married to Colomé Ibarra, who fought with Fidel Castro in 1959 and holds a title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba. Abelardo Colomé is also Vice President of Cuba's Council of State.
The Cuba al Descubierto blog and several news outlets have posted Facebook pictures of Josué Colomé Vázquez in Miami.
"His Facebook page includes recent photos showing him in a bathing suit on Miami Beach and in a gym, his new car, two pairs of fancy sneakers, a lobster dinner and a gathering with friends at a Hooters restaurant," reported the Miami Herald on Friday.