The words that spill out of Elian Gonzalez 's mouth now make his great uncle shrug his shoulders . But Delfin Gonzalez says he 's not surprised by pro-Cuba comments his nephew made in an interview with CNN this week . `` He understands and says what they have taught him , '' Delfin Gonzalez told CNN en Español from his Miami home on Wednesday . `` He can not understand anything else . '' Fourteen years after Elian Gonzalez made headlines as the subject of a bitter international custody battle , he spoke to CNN this week from a youth conference in Ecuador . It 's his first trip abroad since the U.S. government removed him at gunpoint from his relatives ' home in Miami and , after a legal battle , sent him back to Cuba to live with his father . When asked by CNN en Español to describe what his life has been like since he left Miami , Elian Gonzalez said `` magnificent . '' `` I have experienced unprecedented , great growth , as a Cuban revolutionary , joining the cause , '' he said . Delfin Gonzalez says he remembers when his young nephew had quite a different perception of the island . `` One time he asked me , 'How do the cats meow in Cuba ? ' I told him , 'Well , just like they do everywhere . ' He said , 'No , there they say , 'Miami , Miami . ' '' Elian Gonzalez , who turned 20 last week , was just 6 years old when he was found clinging to an inner tube after the tiny boat he was traveling in from Cuba sank on the way to the United States . His mother and nine other people in the boat drowned . After his rescue , he was placed with relatives in Miami , who wanted to keep him in the United States . But Gonzalez 's father fought to bring him back to Cuba . Then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro led massive protests in Cuba demanding Gonzalez 's return . The case of the telegenic boy became a flashpoint between supporters and opponents of Castro 's revolution . Eventually , a U.S. federal court ruling sent him back to Cuba . It 's a day Delfin Gonzalez says he 'll never forget . `` Here , we remember everything , because it was a historic moment , '' he said . `` A boy who came miraculously to the United States , and circumstances made them return him . '' In the Miami neighborhood where the boy lived , one neighbor says he still remembers that day and asks himself what would have happened if he had n't been sent back to Cuba . `` I imagine that it would be a bit better , at least more freedom , '' Ramon Garcia said . Delfin Gonzalez said he has no doubt about that . `` Of course it would be better . This is a free and democratic country where you can study what you want and you have free movement , '' he said . Elian Gonzalez now studies engineering at a military school in Cuba and appears to be emerging as a new spokesman for the Cuban government . `` I have n't suffered any consequences because of what happened . It has not affected me psychologically , but it has been hard for my family , '' he told CNN en Español this week . `` Those were tough times . '' Delfin Gonzalez said family in Miami has only one consolation . `` For us , '' he said , `` the only satisfaction that we are left with is that he is alive . ''
Elian Gonzalez 's great uncle says he 'd be better off in the United States . Score: 7 `` He understands and says what they have taught him , '' Delfin Gonzalez says .