Juan Miguel Gonzalez is not a free man and therefore he could not run to his son's side. In Castro's eyes, he has none. This poor little boy is little more than a piece of property to Castro, a piece of property being returned to serve the wishes of a tyrant. Because business interests within the United States cannot move forward with investments if Castro loses face. So the real reason Elian was taken at gunpoint then makes sense.
Money is at stake.
I will pray every day for your safety and for your happiness. Forgive us, you sweet little boy, for not acting as adults, for not being braver than you were, for not putting you before our own self-interests. You were an example to us all. The images of armed federal authorities entering a private residence to seize a child were chilling, but also raised questions in my mind. The first reports I received were that little Elian Gonzalez had been snatched from the arms of his uncle.