Fresh allegations have emerged against Cuban national Yordanis Cobos Martínez following his recent arrest in Dallas, Texas, for the savage murder of a motel manager. Family members of a victim in Cuba claim Cobos was also involved in a 2008 homicide in the municipality of Mayarí, Holguín Province.
According to statements given to journalist Javier Díaz from Univision, the family of a man named Rolando Peña Almaguer asserts that Cobos fatally stabbed Peña during a dispute. However, his uncle allegedly took full responsibility to prevent the young Cobos from being jailed. As a result, Yordanis was not prosecuted for that crime and was able to leave the country years later.
"We know he was the one who killed him. But his uncle took the blame, protecting him," a family member of the victim commented anonymously. An interview with Peña's son, who lives in the United States and demands justice, is expected to be released in the coming days.
The 2008 case was never thoroughly investigated, according to the family, due to a lack of witnesses willing to testify and alleged irregularities in the investigation. The victim, Rolando Peña Almaguer, was a well-known resident in the rural area of Mayarí.
Rising Criminal Record and Public Outcry
Yordanis Cobos Martínez, now 37, was apprehended last week in Dallas after reportedly beheading the manager of the Downtown Suites Motel, Chandra Nagamallaiah, with a machete in front of the victim's wife and son. The crime, captured by surveillance cameras, shocked the local community and sparked national outrage in the United States.
Following the Texas crime, numerous criminal records of Cobos have surfaced, both in Cuba and the U.S. Reports by Cuban-American journalists suggest Cobos was linked to another murder on the island and had a history of theft.
Impact on U.S. Immigration Policy
The gruesome murder in Dallas has reignited debates over U.S. immigration policy and the Cuban regime's lack of cooperation in deportations. Cobos was released by ICE in January 2025 despite an active deportation order, as Cuba refused to accept him.
New revelations from Cuba might result in additional charges against him and illustrate a violent behavior pattern that dates back over a decade. In response to the Dallas crime, President Donald Trump called for a tough stance towards the Cuban criminal.
Key Questions on Yordanis Cobos Case
What are the latest allegations against Yordanis Cobos?
Yordanis Cobos is facing new accusations related to a 2008 murder in Mayarí, Holguín, Cuba, in addition to his recent arrest for a brutal murder in Dallas, Texas.
How did Yordanis Cobos avoid prosecution in Cuba?
Cobos reportedly avoided prosecution for a 2008 murder because his uncle took the blame for the crime, allowing him to leave Cuba without facing charges.
What impact has the Dallas murder had on U.S. immigration policy?
The Dallas murder has sparked renewed debate over U.S. immigration policies, particularly concerning deportations and cooperation with the Cuban regime.