Grey-bearded man at Elian's birthday

Marcello Salado primary school in Cardenas, Cuba has received its second presidential visit just a year after the first. Fidel Castro was at the school to celebrate the birthday of Elian Gonzalez. Castro had visited the school on the same day a year previously, but on that occasion there was a vigil-like atmosphere as friends and family hoped for Elian to be returned to his father in Cuba. Elian's highly publicised stay in the US followed the death of his mother and 10 other Cuban emigrants who drowned trying to reach the Florida coast. A custody battle followed as relatives in Miami wanted Elian to stay with them and his father wanted the boy to be returned to Cuba. At the school celebrations this year clowns and a children's drama troupe entertained as Elian joked with a cousin and ate his birthday cake. Compiled from international sources by Janet Stafford