Seven members of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba have defected, with four of the troupe members having already made their way into the United States via Mexico. Aw, but everything was all literate and shit over in Cuba:

They were the latest in a wave of defections by artists that in December alone brought to Miami three top dancers in the Cuban National Ballet, four members of the Cuban National Circus, six members of the musical group Los Tres de La Habana and top TV personality Carlos Otero.

Spanish Ballet dancers Cindy Argüelles and Lisandra Frontella, both 20, Daryl Pérez, 19, and Erick Pupo, 18, arrived in Miami on Sunday, just three days after they defected.

The Spanish Ballet, Cuba’s top group devoted to Spanish dances, was in Mérida for the International Arts Fair held from Jan. 5 to 20. The group performed Carmen on Jan. 17 and 18.

Pérez said that after the show on Jan. 17, three other dancers defected, including top star Liliana Fagoaga. He identified the others as Marloon Rodríguez and José Luis Uz, and said they are hiding in Mexico while trying to reach the United States.

Pérez, who joined the troupe three years ago, said he had decided to defect at the first chance.

We can’t help but read “defecate” each time we see the word “defect.” But, then again, we didn’t learn to read in Cuba. Sigh. Our parents were so selfish.

7 Cuban dancers defect in Mexico [The Miami Herald]