I owe my life, my sentiments and values, my performance and professional success to my father Fidel Castro, to my beautiful island and to its entire people, who welcomed me like a son, he told Prensa Latina in perfect Spanish.

Michel, as he was nicknamed in Cuba and is called here, studied on Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) from fifth grade, between 1979 and 1987. He studied at the University of Camagüey, where he graduated as a civil engineer in 1992.

I will always remember that beautiful period. I’m Ethiopian, but I also feel myself Ethiopian-Cuban, from Isla de Pino and from Camagüey as well. Every day I dream about returning to my second country and I think that my dream will come true next August, he revealed.

I miss everything from there, starting from the people’s sincerity, happiness, education and respect for women, to the lifestyle, beaches, boxing, baseball (I support Victor Mesa) and music, but above all Cuban solidarity.

jg/mem/raj