Cuban volleyball player reported missing in Puerto Rico requests political asylum

Cuba volleyball player seeks asylum in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Cuban volleyball player who vanished from his team’s hotel in Puerto Rico appeared at a U.S. immigration office and requested political asylum on Tuesday.

Leonardo Leyva, 20, received a notice to appear before an immigration judge for a hearing, said Ivan Ortiz, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Juan.

Leyva said he plans to keep up his athletic career and pursue “a better future” for himself and his family, the newspaper Primera Hora reported on its Web site.

The Cuban appeared at the office with a lawyer and an unidentified friend, according to a police statement. He had been the subject of a police search after his team reported him missing from their hotel in San Juan shortly after midnight Friday.

Attorney Sergio Ramos said Leyva’s plans were uncertain, but he was looking forward to settling in Puerto Rico.

The Cuban team was visiting the U.S. territory for a North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation tournament. Despite Leyva’s absence, the team won the gold medal by defeating the United States.