Mother of school stabbing victim closer to visiting from Cuba

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- The mother of a teenager stabbed to death at Coral Gables Sr. High School is closer to obtaining a visa from Cuba to visit the U.S.

The Cuban government has so far seemed receptive to cooperating. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that Thursday, at 7 a.m., the mother of 17-year-old Juan Carlos Rivera will have an interview with Cuban officials to discuss a temporary tourist visa to travel to the U.S.

The Republican South Florida congresswoman's office released the following statement: "This is an incredibly sad and tragic case. As a parent, my heart goes out to this poor family and my prayers are with them.

"My congressional staff and I have been working on this case from the moment we were contacted. We have been successful in securing an appointment for Anais for tomorrow morning at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana and hope that her interview process will go well. We will continue to work with her to secure her visa to enter the U.S."

Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the School District has already obtained airfare and lodging for the victim's mother. "We've been able to put together partnerships with American Airlines that will provide a free voyage from Cuba to Miami for the mother, free lodging," he added.

Rivera's family members have been working with the Republican congresswoman from the U.S. House of Representatives along with the Miami-Dade School District to bring the his mother over from Cuba for her son's burial.

Rivera's grandmother and uncle spoke to Ros-Lehtinen on the phone and remain hopeful that Rivera's mother will be granted permission to visit the U.S. for the teen's funeral. "Now I'm the one to lose, as I've lost part of my life and my heart. I want my daughter to come see her son," said Bruna Peinado, speaking through a translator.

Rivera died at the hands of a knife-wielding student, Andy Rodriguez, also, 17, after they engaged in a fight in the courtyard at Coral Gables Sr. High School Tuesday. "They were just pushing off each other, and at one moment, one student pulled out a knife," said Felix Cedeno, a student who saw Rivera die. "I don't know if it was a switchblade or a box cutter, and he stabbed the victim three times."

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