Roberto Mosquera del Peral, a 58-year-old Cuban, is enduring a harrowing ordeal after being deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the African kingdom of Eswatini. Alongside four other migrants, Mosquera was sent to this distant nation last July and is now confined in a maximum-security prison. His only contact with family is through brief video calls, which are closely monitored by armed guards, according to a report from AFP.
A childhood friend of Mosquera, named Ana, shared with AFP that her friend’s situation is akin to a "nightmare." During a recent video call from the African prison, Mosquera appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight and hair, causing concern among his loved ones.
Despite the accusations made during the Trump Administration, Ana insists that her friend is "neither the monster nor the vicious prisoner" he is portrayed to be. AFP confirmed that Mosquera was sentenced to a nine-year prison term for attempted murder in July 1989 after shooting a man in the leg. He was released in 1996 but was later re-incarcerated in 2009 for offenses including car theft and assaulting a security officer.
Ana recalls that Mosquera "changed his life" after his release. "He got married, had four beautiful daughters, spoke out against gang violence, and has a family that loves him deeply," she stated. She describes his deportation as "atrocious" and akin to a death sentence, expressing how deeply it has affected everyone involved.
Meanwhile, Tin Thanh Nguyen, the attorney representing the deportees and residing in the United States, claims that his clients are trapped in a "legal black hole." He likened the situation to modern human trafficking, albeit through official channels.
The case gained attention last July when ICE publicized Mosquera-Del Peral's detention in Miami on social media. According to the post, he faced convictions for "homicide, aggravated assault on a police officer with a weapon, and aggravated assault causing bodily harm or disability in Miami-Dade, FL."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Legal Challenges and Deportation
What crimes was Roberto Mosquera del Peral convicted of?
Roberto Mosquera del Peral was convicted of attempted murder in 1989, and later for crimes such as car theft and assaulting a security officer.
How is Mosquera staying in touch with his family?
Mosquera is able to communicate with his family through short video calls that are strictly supervised by armed guards.
What has been the response from Mosquera's legal team?
Mosquera's lawyer, Tin Thanh Nguyen, has described the situation as a "legal black hole" and likened it to modern human trafficking through official means.