Canada formally raises issue of detained Canadians with Cuban official: Kent

OTTAWA, Ont. - Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Peter Kent said the issue of Canadians being detained in Cuba has been raised with the Caribbean nation's representative in Ottawa.

In a statement released Wednesday Kent said the case of 19-year-old Cody LeCompte, who has been unable to leave Cuba since a car accident in late April, was among the cases raised at Tuesday's meeting.

Kent added Canadian officials expressed their concern that the investigation into the Simcoe, Ont., man's case is taking too long.

He said the Cuban official was told such delays could affect the choices made by Canadians considering Cuba as a tourist destination.

Kent noted that numerous calls have been made by consular officials to the LeCompte family and to Cuban officials in Havana seeking expeditious treatment of the case.

Cody LeCompte was driving a car that was struck by a dump truck in an intersection, but he is not allowed to leave Cuba until a court decides whether he'll face charges.