Castro demands US should return rescued Cuban boy within 3 days

8220;They should be prudent, and before 72 hours, because if not, there are going to be millions of people in the street demanding the freedom of the boy, who will not stop until they send him back,8221; a visibly furious Castro said in comments broadcast on state TV in the early hours today.His mother and stepfather were among ten Cubans who drowned or disappeared after the boat capsized.

Dressed in his trademark military uniform, and looking stern, he described the retention of Elian in the US as 8220;rude, cruel, absurd, criminal andhypocritical.8221;

8220;So I really do suggest to them that they are prudent, so as to avoid the risks of this affair, both for them and also for us, because I know and I feel the state of emotion, and enough is enough8221; the Cuban leader added.Prior to what were Castro8217;s first public comments on the case, there had been unconfirmed reports this weekend that Cuba was planning demonstrations in front of the US Interests8217; section, Washington8217;s unofficial embassy here, over the case.