Elian Gonzalez All Grown Up: See What the Former Subject of US-Cuba Tug-of-War Looks Like Now

Exclusive new photos of Elian Gonzalez, now 21.

ByABC News
April 23, 2015, 3:04 PM

— -- Exclusive new photos of Elian Gonzalez, the now-21-year-old industrial engineering student at the University of Matanzas in Cuba, have been released to ABC News.

They are the most recent photos released of Gonzalez by Fidel Castro’s former personal photographer.

PHOTO: Elian Gonzalez smiles in a photoshoot with renowned Cuban photographer, Roberto Chile.
Elian Gonzalez smiles in a photoshoot with renowned Cuban photographer, Roberto Chile.

Gonzalez, who was 6 when he was at the center of a 1999-2000 tug-of-war between the U.S. and Cuba, and, according to Cuban press reports, is now a karate- and swimming-loving university student who enjoys going to movies and hanging out with friends.

PHOTO: Elian Gonzalez along with his brothers and father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez.
Elian Gonzalez along with his brothers and father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez.

The photos were taken of Gonzalez and his family by renowned Cuban photographer Roberto Chile. Chile was the personal photographer to Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader and former president.

PHOTO: Elian Gonzalez holds a copy of "La Edad de Oro" by Jose Marti, given to him and signed by Fidel Castro, July 2000.
Elian Gonzalez holds a copy of "La Edad de Oro" by Jose Marti, given to him and signed by Fidel Castro, July 2000.
PHOTO: Elian Gonzalez poses with his brother.
Elian Gonzalez poses with his brother.