12/12/2012

Mystery follows McAfee to Miami

 American technology pioneer John McAfee will return to the United States Wednesday.
American technology pioneer John McAfee will return to the United States Wednesday.
  • NEW: Software company founder John McAfee arrives in Miami
  • "He opted to return to his country of origin," lawyer says
  • On Sunday, he told reporters he wanted to go to the United States
  • McAfee's request for asylum in Guatemala was rejected after he fled Belize

Miami (CNN) -- After weeks on the run and days in immigration detention, American technology pioneer John McAfee arrived in Miami on Wednesday.

It was unclear whether he planned to stay there, or where he might go next.

A post on McAfee's blog said he was staying at an oceanfront hotel in South Beach.

Reached at the boutique Beacon Hotel, the 67-year-old antivirus software company founder declined to comment on his plans and told CNN he was concerned about his girlfriend. He said they were separated when immigration authorities expelled him from Guatemala on Wednesday. A post on McAfee's website later asked the media for privacy.

For the past week week, McAfee waged a public battle, requesting an asylum in Guatemala and arguing that police in Belize were persecuting him.

That chapter of McAfee's saga ended when police escorted McAfee to an airport in Guatemala City after immigration authorities expelled him.

McAfee fights to stay out of Belize
McAfee lawyer: He will stay in Guatemala

"He opted to return to his country of origin," said attorney Telesforo Guerra, who has represented McAfee since he arrived in Guatemala last week.

On Sunday, McAfee told reporters that he hoped to go back to the United States.

"Our intent is to return to America, if at all possible, and settle down to whatever normal life we can settle down to under the circumstances," McAfee said. "There is no hope for my life if I am ever returned to Belize."

Authorities in Belize, where McAfee had lived since 2008, say they want to talk to McAfee about the November 11 killing of his neighbor, American businessman Gregory Faull.

McAfee said he had nothing to do with the death and insists he left Belize to escape police persecution.

After weeks in hiding, McAfee emerged in Guatemala's capital last week to ask for asylum.

Guatemalan authorities took him into custody on accusations of entering the country illegally, and his asylum bid was rejected.

CNN en EspaƱol's Adriana Hauser reported from Miami. CNN's Joe Sutton and Ana maria Luengo-Romero reported from Atlanta. Journalist Miguel Salay reported from Guatemala City.

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