Elián González
publication date: Monday, July 24, 2000 (part of Round X)
category: Controversy
clue: He literally became the poster boy for Cuban political refugees.
explanation: González was a 6-year-old Cuban boy who washed up in Miami after his mother had drowned trying to sneak him into the United States. González's contested presence in the United States became a controversial issue, with anti-Cuban protestors making a hero out of him. Ironically, when the U.S. Justice Department intervened, reunited González with his father, and flew them both back to Cuba, he became a hero to Cubans in Cuba. more…
solved by: Denise Sawicki, Matthew Preston, David Mitzman, Aaron Fischer, Kelly Lee, and Anna Gregoline
trivia: This was the second Miami-related goo in a row, after Dan Marino (0119).