Venezuelan dissident seeks U.S. asylum

A Venezuelan rancher who helped lead the opposition to President Hugo Chavez is seeking U.S. asylum in Miami, The Miami Herald reported Friday.

Robert Alonso went into hiding months ago, and now plans to stay in the United States by seeking haven under the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows Cuban refugees who reach U.S. soil to stay.

He said he believes he qualifies because he can prove he was born in Cuba.

Alonso, whose sister is Hollywood actress Maria Conchita Alonso, has been accused of allowing dozens of Colombians to receive paramilitary training on his property near Caracas.

He said those accusations were an attempt by the Venezuelan government to discredit him.

"It was payback for my tactics," Alonso said.

He said he knew nothing of the Colombians at the time and if they were there, he did not know about it.

Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez in Washington said once it is confirmed Alonso is in the United States, he will begin extradition proceedings.

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