WASHINGTON (AP) — An American man whose imprisonment in Cuba has hampered efforts to improve ties between the countries wants to come home, even if it's just for a visit. That's according to Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who visited Alan Gross in prison this week.
Van Hollen, a Democrat from Gross' home state of Maryland, was part of a delegation visiting Cuba. Van Hollen says he and Sen. Patrick Leahy met with Gross for about an hour Tuesday.
Van Hollen says Gross is focused on returning to the U.S. at least temporarily to see his ailing mother, as well as returning permanently.
Gross is serving a 15-year-sentence for bringing communications equipment to the island illegally. He had been working covertly to set up Internet access as a contractor for a U.S.-funded program.
