Cuban’s Kin Asks U.S. Asylum

The son of one of Cuba’s highest-ranking communications officials was being held in protective custody today after seeking political asylum during the weekend, the Immigration and Naturalization Service said.

The INS was tight-lipped about the defector, but a relative identified him as Marcel Bernardo, 19, of Havana, the son of Francisco Bernardo, a member of Cuba’s Ministry of Communications. The Miami-based relative said Bernardo is being held while the INS awaits a ruling on his request.