Homeward Bound?

Few dispute that reality. Still, if Castro controls Juan Miguel, many are worried that the Foundation is manipulating Lazaro Gonzalez, 49, the semi-employed great-uncle who has custody of Elian in Miami. Close relatives in Miami say his many publicity stunts with the boy are out of character. And while relatives say they admire the mothering that Lazaro's daughter Marisleysis, 21, has given Elian, they complain, in the words of one of them, that "she doesn't make him a glass of chocolate milk without telling him that his grandmothers can't buy that for him in Cuba."

Elian's plight has also given Castro, 73, life support. Last fall, el comandante's relevance was dwindling: even as he played host to a summit of Latin American and Iberian leaders, the spotlight fell instead on foreign capitalists and pro-democracy dissidents. Elian's "kidnapping" changed all that. As a result, Cuban politicos privately declare that even if Elian never returns, "We've won."

Still, ordinary Cubans say they're tired of being herded into Havana's streets for "Free Elian!" rallies; and many Americans feel CANF's zealotry has worsened Miami's dysfunctional image. In the end, the drama may reveal how fed up both societies are with the Dr. Strangelove hysteria of U.S.-Cuba relations. But for now, each passing day is one of political gain for Fidel and the Foundation.

--With reporting by Dolly Mascarenas/Havana