11 members of Cuban choir defect in Toronto

11 members of Cuban choir defect in Toronto

CTV.ca News Staff

Updated: Tue. Oct. 25 2005 11:33 PM ET

Eleven members of Cuba's national choir have defected in Toronto.

The internationally acclaimed 40-member Coro Nacional de Cuba arrived in
Canada last week.

The choir has its roots in an army choir founded in 1959 by Ernesto
(Che) Guevara. They sing classical, folkloric and popular Cuban music.

The defectors reportedly dodged security officers and jumped into
waiting cars after concerts in Toronto on Sunday and Monday.

"I'm told they're at a safe house in Toronto, with some help from a
local church group," promoter Robert Missen told The Globe and Mail.

They are expected to apply for refugee status.

Missen said he didn't realize the singers had vanished until they failed
to turn up for a flight to British Columbia.

The rest of the choir plans to continue with its cross-Canada tour.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051025/cuban_defectors_051025/20051025?hub=Canada