Estranged Daughter of Fidel Castro Returns to Cuba after 21 Years

HAVANA TIMES — Alina Fernandez Revuelta, daughter of former President Fidel Castro who fled Cuba 21 years ago, returned to the island to visit her sick mother, reported dpa news on Wednesday.

Fernandez, settled for years in Florida after escaping from Cuba in 1993 with a false Spanish passport and disguised as a tourist, arrived Sunday to Havana.

The journalist’s mother, Natalia Revuelta, 88, is seriously ill in a hospital, according to reports. Apparently, the government of Raul Castro approved the temporary private visit.

Alina Fernández was born in 1956 as the illegitimate daughter of Fidel Castro and Natalia Fernandez. The 58-year-old journalist has repeatedly expressed criticism of the Castro government.

In 1997 she published her autobiography, “Castro’s Daughter: An Exile’s Memoir of Cuba,” which takes a critical look at the situation of the island and the relationship with her father. Fernandez has noted previously that she no contact with his father.

As part of the reforms adopted in recent years, the government of Raul Castro allows the temporary return of some Cubans who fled the island, after a certain period of time has elapsed.