Cuban Ex-Security Officer Self-Deports After a Decade in the U.S.

Leandro Rubén Garnica González, a former officer from the feared Department of State Security (DSE) in Cuba's Cienfuegos province, has voluntarily left the United States after more than ten years of permanent residency. His departure comes amid increased scrutiny of former Cuban regime officials who managed to settle in the U.S.

According to journalist Mario Pentón, who shared details through various channels, Garnica left on April 16, 2025, as initially reported by Molinos de Libertad on YouTube. Garnica, who arrived in the U.S. in 2013, sought American citizenship but was denied due to his past as a repressor, as reported by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) and sources close to his family.

Allegations of Torture and Threats

Garnica González's name appears in reports of abuse within Cuba's repressive structures, with serious accusations including torture and coercion, as highlighted by a Miami-based journalist. One of the most documented cases involves former political prisoner Jorge Luis Brito Rodríguez, arrested in 1993 and subjected to brutal interrogations at the Department of Technical Investigations (DTI) in Cienfuegos.

Testimonies collected by the FHRC claim Garnica was directly involved in physical and psychological torture. The victim alleged that when he refused to sign a fabricated statement, Garnica threatened to “kick his liver out through his mouth.” He was also kept in isolation, denied family visits, and exposed to beatings carried out by undercover agents posing as common criminals.

Growing Trend of Voluntary Returns

Garnica's return adds to the list of alleged Cuban repressors who, facing potential prosecution in the U.S., choose to return to Cuba voluntarily. Recent months have seen similar cases:

• Evelio Eduardo Velázquez Infante, another former MININT officer, returned to Las Tunas after being publicly denounced.
• Misael Enamorado, implicated in repressive acts, left the U.S. under media pressure.
• Daniel Morejón García was detained by ICE for concealing ties to the regime.
• Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez was deported for undisclosed communist affiliations.

Under Congressional Scrutiny

Garnica's case is part of a list of alleged Cuban repressors sent by Congressman Carlos Giménez to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), State Department, and Department of Justice. The letter calls for investigations into these individuals and revocation of their immigration status if their involvement in human rights violations is confirmed.

This congressional campaign aims to prevent the U.S. immigration system from being exploited as a haven for former Cuban repressive officials, many of whom entered the country through benefits like humanitarian parole or the Cuban Adjustment Act.

Possible Admission of Guilt?

While Garnica González has not been formally charged or detained by U.S. authorities, his return to Cuba—while retaining his residency—could be seen as an effort to avoid potential expulsion or legal proceedings. This situation fuels the debate about the need for stricter screening of migrants from authoritarian regimes, particularly those involved in repressive activities.

In a climate of increased political pressure and media attention, the message is becoming clear: the United States will no longer serve as a sanctuary for Castro's enforcers.