Singer seeks asylum in U.S.

Cuban singer Carlos Manuel, one of Havana’s most promising pop music talents, has defected to the United States and is seeking political asylum, his U.S. record company manager said Monday.

Following concerts in Mexico City, the young singer-songwriter surrendered Sunday to the U.S. Border Patrol at Brownsville, Texas. He was accompanied by his mother, his sister, her boyfriend, one band member and a sound engineer -- all of whom also defected -- as well as a Mexican TV crew that documented the event.

He is the second major Cuban singer to defect here in recent years. Manolin, known as El Medico de la Salsa, sought asylum two years ago and now lives in Miami.