Seventeen Cubans who were apprehended in Krasnodar on March 21 have been expelled from Russia. They were sent back to Cuba on two separate flights, the last of which arrived on April 27. A source among the deported individuals confirmed this to CiberCuba, expressing a mix of frustration and resignation about their return. "Here we are, dealing with power outages and swarms of mosquitoes. That's our reality now. It's the first of May, and people here don't even have electricity. It's criminal, but what can we do? At least we're back," they commented to the platform.
None of the deportees were able to document the deportation process. "They don't let you take out your phones. You're handcuffed until you board the plane, without a chance to do anything. They even denied us the snacks we had for the kids, saying in their language that they didn't care about kids or anything; we had to throw everything away. They treat you like a dog," another deportee told CiberCuba.
"At least we made it back alive. That was the main thing," they added with a touch of irony, while lamenting the indifference of the Cuban regime post-deportation. "They didn't even bother to provide a bus to take us to our provinces. We were all stranded, just like me. Thankfully, some workers there gave us 300 pesos to catch a bus, otherwise, I would have had to spend the night at the airport," they insisted.
The interviewee, who chose to remain anonymous, highlighted the predicament for those arriving in Cuba without money: "If you arrive deported with no cash, you end up sleeping at the airport. You can't go anywhere without money. If they provided a bus to take you to your province, it would be different," they emphasized over WhatsApp.
Upon arrival on the island, they were neither interviewed nor questioned. They were simply seated in an office and handed their passports. Some were asked if they were deported for illegal work since their tourist visas were still valid. "They deported us just because they wanted to," was their response to a Cuban official who noted it was unprecedented for Russia to deport Cubans with valid visas.
"Let them call Putin and ask. If we were legal, why were we deported? They should call over there and inquire. They gave us our passports and sent us out, as if saying: 'Now figure out how to get to your town,'" they recounted. These 17 Cubans were detained on March 21 in a rented house in Krasnodar. Initially, they were taken to a police station, identified, and then split into two groups, placed in separate Russian deportation centers—men in one, women in another. A month later, they were sent back to Cuba.
All had traveled from Havana to Moscow and then taken a train to Crimea, hoping to find work. However, upon arrival, they faced an extremely harsh winter that impeded their job search, leading them to rent in Krasnodar instead.
Since December 2018, Cuban citizens have been allowed to travel to Russia visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Russian police have intensified immigration controls in the area, and those deported face bans of 5 to 10 years from re-entering Russia.
Key Issues Surrounding the Deportation of Cubans from Russia
Why were the Cubans deported from Russia?
The Cubans were deported despite holding valid tourist visas. The reason for their deportation appears to be arbitrary, as confirmed by the deportees themselves.
What challenges did the deported Cubans face upon returning to Cuba?
Upon returning, the deportees faced issues such as lack of transportation back to their provinces and inadequate resources, leaving them stranded at the airport without assistance.
What was the initial purpose of the Cubans' trip to Russia?
The group traveled from Havana to Moscow and intended to reach Crimea in search of employment opportunities. However, severe winter conditions hindered their plans.