Defected Cuban dancer arrives in Miami

Defected Cuban dancer arrives in Miami
Posted: Jul 10, 2014 4:49 AM RDT
Updated: Jul 10, 2014 4:49 AM RDT

Exiled dancer, Jaime Reytor, arrived at Miami International Airport on Wednesday. Reytor is one of the eight dancers who were seeking asylum in Puerto Rico at the end of the tour with the National Ballet of Cuba.

The last time the group saw each other was on a stage in Cuba. "It was always my dream to be here in the United States," said Reytor.

In June, Reytor traveled with the National Ballet of Cuba to perform in Puerto Rico and never went back home. "I was afraid to call my mom and say, 'Mom I'm leaving the country,'" said Reytor.

The 23-year-old dancer did not call home until he defected safely to the United States. "She was worried about what's happening to me here cuz I don't have family here, no one," he said.

Pedro Pablo Peña invited Reytor to join the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. "Most of these dancers have not been given the opportunities within the ranks of the National Ballet of Cuba," said assistant director of Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Daniel Tourrenze.

Reytor will be in familiar company. Last month, Peña welcomed seven other defected dancers from Cuba.

Reytor's first opportunity will be in a few weeks when he'll dance on an American stage for the first time. "I needed to take the risk for improving my life because in Cuba there is no opportunity and here is the country of the opportunities," said Reytor.

Reytor will debut his upcoming performance at the demand of the public of the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, with the program "Greatest Selections of the Russian Ballet" on July 27 at 5 p.m. at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium.

Source: Defected Cuban dancer arrives in Miami - WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco - http://www.wsvn.com/story/25982142/defected-cuban-dancer-arrives-in-miami