The Cuban James Bond

[Ksyrup]

MIAMI, Florida (AP) --A floating vintage car chugging toward the Florida Keys from Cuba was piloted by two of the same men who tried to sail a converted truck to the United States last year, relatives said.

Marciel Basanta Lopez and Luis Gras Rodriguez, who were brought back to Cuba after they failed to reach Florida in a converted 1951 Chevy pickup in July, were allegedly at the helm of the newest vehicle-boat conversion.

The U.S. Coast Guard would not confirm the status of the tailfinned 1950s car.

Relatives told Basanta's cousin, Kiriat Lopez, who lives in Florida, that they knew the men were planning a second escape attempt.

"My cousin isn't crazy. He wants to be free," Lopez said. "That's how crazy he is."

In the Havana neighborhood of San Miguel de Padron, Gras' sister said she was awaiting news.

"They are very brave," Valentina Gras said. "When you are so sure of what you have to do you cannot be afraid."

In the previous attempt, the truck-boat was kept afloat by empty 55-gallon drums attached to the bottom as pontoons. A propeller attached to the drive shaft was pushing it along at about 8 mph (13 kph).

On the craft were nine men, two women and one small child. The truck was sunk by the Coast Guard as a hazard to ocean navigation.

After being returned to Cuba, several of the people on board applied for political asylum, but all but Gras' were rejected.

Gras' application was still being processed but he had become frustrated with the wait, Lopez said.

Under U.S. immigration policies, Cubans who reach U.S. shores are allowed to stay while those caught at sea are usually returned.

[corbes]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

"My cousin isn't crazy. He wants to be free," Lopez said. "That's how crazy he is."

I'm sorry. This isn't funny in any way, but it almost made me laugh out loud.