MIAMI -- Several Cuban-American organizations are demanding that a Cuban militant who has requested asylum instead be arrested.

The organizations held a news conference Thursday morning at which they demanded "that the Bush administration comply with the law and order the Department Of Homeland Security to immediately arrest Luis Posada Carriles, nefarious Cuban-born terrorist who illegally entered the country and is presently here in Miami."

The attorney for Posada officially requested political asylum for the Cuban militant last Wednesday.

Posada, 77, is accused of blowing up a Cuban airliner in 1976. His attorney, Eduardo Soto, said Posada was acquitted twice in Venezuela in the bombing of the aircraft.

Soto said Posada is seeking asylum in the United States based in part on his claim that he worked "directly and indirectly" for the CIA. He said Posada deserves asylum protection because he could face execution if returned to Cuba.

Posada openly admits to using violence to try to bring down the Cuban leader, including, he claims, a string of bombings in 1997 targeting fashionable Cuban hotels and nightspots.

The organizations demanding Posada's arrest said they want him to be handed over to Venezuelan courts where he has an "outstanding trial for terrorism for his responsibility in the destruction in midair of a civilian Cubana airliner in Barbados in October 1976 with the loss of all 73 civilian passengers on board."

Soto filed the asylum application with the Homeland Security Department.

The organizations demanding Soto's arrest are: Alianza Martiana, The Antonio Maceo Brigade, the ATC (Alianza de Trabajadores de La Comunidad), Asociación José Martí, The National Committee To Free The 5, Answer National Coalition and The Círculo Bolivariano Of Miami.