The United States government has dispatched a new group of illegal immigrants of various nationalities, including Cuban citizens, to Eswatini. This move is part of the controversial deportation program to third countries implemented by the Trump administration. Among the ten men sent to the African nation are three Vietnamese, a Filipino, a Cambodian, and others from Chad and Cuba.
According to the Associated Press, the group departed from Louisiana, with stopovers in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola, before arriving on October 6th in the southern African nation. However, they have not been identified by Eswatini's Correctional Services Division. Baphelele Kunene, the division's spokesperson, stated in a press release that they are in good health and are "securely housed in one of the country's correctional facilities." The government is working with local and international stakeholders to ensure their orderly repatriation.
They are currently held at the Mastapha Correctional Facility, the same location where four others deported in July are detained, including Cuban national Roberto Mosquera del Peral.
Cuban Deportee Spotlight: Roberto Mosquera del Peral
Among those deported to Eswatini, Cuban Roberto Mosquera del Peral stands out. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has highlighted his severe criminal background, including convictions for first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, grand theft auto, reckless driving with aggravated fleeing, and confirmed membership in the Latin Kings gang.
Novo Legal, a group of attorneys, reported that Mosquera del Peral spent weeks in a maximum-security prison in Eswatini without formal charges or access to legal representation. Alma David, his lawyer, accused the Eswatini government of trying to obscure the case and blatantly lying to the High Court, arguing that there is "no legitimate legal basis for the imprisonment of these men in Eswatini."
Cuba’s Stance on Deportees with Serious Criminal Records
These deportations to third countries highlight the Cuban regime's stance on migration agreements with the United States. Despite Cuba's official commitment to accepting deported citizens, it systematically refuses those with serious criminal records. This opens the door to a controversial alternative: deporting individuals to countries with no cultural, linguistic, or legal ties to them.
Recent Wave of Deportations to Africa
The ten men sent to Eswatini this week are part of a larger group of over 40 deported to Africa since July, following agreements between the White House and at least five African nations willing to accept migrants. The U.S. administration and Eswatini authorities have presented these operations as security measures.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated that the deported migrants "have been convicted of heinous crimes, including murder and rape." She added, "The Trump Administration is fulfilling the President's promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation of criminal illegal immigrants using every tool at our disposal."
However, defense lawyers and legal organizations have raised concerns about the legality and conditions of detainees. Attorney Tin Thanh Nguyen, representing several deportees, claimed that although his clients might soon return to their countries, third-country deportations remain illegal. He also cited obstacles in communicating with them due to the Eswatini government's restrictions.
Eswatini: The Destination for "Recalcitrant" Migrants
The Trump administration has identified Eswatini, a small monarchy bordered by South Africa and Mozambique, as a destination for "recalcitrant" cases. According to Axios, this is part of a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2025, where Eswatini agreed to accept up to 160 deportees from third countries in exchange for $5.1 million.
Since the first group was sent in July, the U.S. government has conducted 30 deportations to African nations. The deportees are often described as "dangerous criminals" with serious criminal records. However, international human rights organizations have criticized the policy for sending migrants to countries with authoritarian regimes where they might lack basic rights, such as access to legal representation or a fair trial.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a nation of about 1.2 million people ruled by King Mswati III since 1986. It remains one of the few absolute monarchies globally, with political parties effectively banned and frequent reports of repression against pro-democracy movements and state violence during protests, notably those in 2021.
Understanding U.S. Deportations to Eswatini
Why are Cuban deportees being sent to Eswatini?
Due to Cuba's refusal to accept deportees with serious criminal records, the U.S. has resorted to sending them to third countries like Eswatini, following agreements with the African nation.
What are the conditions for deportees in Eswatini?
Deportees in Eswatini are reportedly held in correctional facilities, but there are concerns about the lack of formal charges, legal representation, and transparency in their treatment.
How does the Eswatini government justify accepting deportees?
Eswatini has agreed to accept deportees as part of a memorandum with the U.S., which includes financial compensation. The arrangement is framed as a security measure.