Mariana de la Caridad Fernández León and Yaneris Redondo León, sisters who participated in the July 11 protests in Cuba, received harsh sentences for their involvement. Mariana was sentenced to four years of corrective labor, while Yaneris was given seven years in prison on charges of assault, contempt, and public disorder by the Cuban authorities. Now residing in the United States, they face an "immediate risk" of deportation back to Cuba by the Trump Administration, as reported by the social media profile Justice 11J Detentions for Political Reasons on X (formerly Twitter).
"We were put on trial and waited for our sentences, hoping for a positive outcome. Unfortunately, nothing changed, and that spurred us into action," recounted Mariana Fernández León in an interview with AmericaTeVe after arriving in the U.S.
Both sisters fled Cuba by raft, reaching U.S. shores on November 13, 2022, after a harrowing 16-hour journey. Their boat, which departed Cojímar with 42 people aboard, ended up stranded on the Marquesas Keys, located 50 kilometers west of Key West. Upon arrival, Mariana, who was 18 at the time of the protests, required hospitalization due to kidney failure. Yaneris, the elder sister, was detained but later released with an I-296 document, essentially an expedited deportation order, though it allows for the possibility of political asylum defense.
"Returning to Cuba would be a death sentence for them," lamented their mother, Yosima León, in tears during an interview with Telemundo51. Yosima, who resides in Miramar, Broward, welcomed her daughters and sought legal counsel from the renowned law firm of Willy Allen, an immigration attorney who addresses such issues every Monday at 11:00 AM (Miami time) on CiberCuba.
Currently, Mariana and Yaneris are at significant risk of being sent back to Cuba, where their sentences remain active, meaning they could be taken directly to prison upon arrival. This potential deportation, as highlighted by Justice 11J's profile on X, violates the principle of 'non-refoulement', which protects individuals from being returned to countries where they may face persecution, torture, or inhumane treatment, even if their asylum claims are denied.
Justice 11J has labeled the sisters' situation as "extremely serious" and warns that the threat of deportation is genuine "despite the documented risks — including retaliation, re-incarceration, and various forms of mistreatment and torture" they face if returned to Cuba.
The organization has urgently appealed to the U.S. government and its judicial and immigration systems to halt the sisters' deportation. "To international human rights organizations: activate international protection mechanisms. To the Cuban exile community and global civil society: amplify this call for help and lend your support. Mariana and Yaneris's cause is just. They have consistently advocated for Cuba's freedom and have continued to denounce the Cuban regime's human rights abuses through media, marches, and public events, which would only exacerbate their situation if imprisoned again on the Island."
Key Concerns About the Possible Deportation of Cuban Protesters
What risks do Mariana and Yaneris face if deported to Cuba?
If deported to Cuba, Mariana and Yaneris face the immediate risk of imprisonment as their sentences are still active. They could also be subjected to persecution, torture, or inhumane treatment.
Why is their potential deportation controversial?
Their deportation is controversial because it may violate the 'non-refoulement' principle, which prohibits sending individuals back to places where they could face severe harm or persecution.
How can international organizations help Mariana and Yaneris?
International organizations can activate protection mechanisms and advocate for the sisters by amplifying their case and urging the U.S. government to reconsider the deportation decision.