Yoelsi Linares Reyes, a Cuban national who was deported from the United States on February 9, 2026, has publicly accused Cuban State Security agents of torturing and threatening him upon his arrival at Havana's airport. He is urgently seeking assistance to leave the island.
According to a statement shared on the Facebook page of the "Anti-Communist Movement and Defenders of Freedom," Linares Reyes claims he was immediately apprehended by regime agents upon landing and taken to Villa Marista, the headquarters of the Department of State Security in Havana. This facility has been internationally recognized as a site for arbitrary detention and torture of dissidents.
Linares Reyes was detained at Villa Marista from February 9 to February 17. "I was taken to Villa Marista. I was interrogated, tortured, and threatened there," he recounted in a video posted on the same Facebook page.
Continued Harassment and Threats
On February 25, he was summoned again, this time to the Cotorro unit, where the intimidation continued. "They threatened me, saying that if I stepped out of line, I'd be imprisoned for thirty years," he reported.
Cuban authorities warned him to leave the country as soon as possible. "They told me to gather the money, buy a ticket, and leave, as they didn’t want to deal with me here in Cuba because I’m seen as a focal point as a leader," he explained.
Political Background and Activism
Linares Reyes identifies as a member of the Government of Constitutional Transition for Cuba (GJCCT), an opposition group in exile advocating for the Cuban Constitution of 1940. He has actively participated in live YouTube broadcasts criticizing the regime, which may have prompted the State Security's retaliation.
He had resided in the United States since August 16, 2022, working in hospitality at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Oklahoma. He had no criminal record or disciplinary issues and was in the country under the I-220A form, a document from ICE that temporarily releases migrants under supervision without granting them permanent legal status.
Deportation Under Political Tensions
Under the second Trump administration, individuals holding I-220A became a priority for deportation, with nearly 2,000 Cubans deported by March 2026. The February 9 flight transported 170 Cubans to José Martí International Airport.
Since returning, Linares Reyes reports constant surveillance and pressure on family and neighbors to distance themselves from him. "Since returning to Cuba, I’ve been under constant surveillance, summonses, and harassment from the authorities due to my opposition to the regime," he stated in a written complaint.
Call for International Intervention
His case reflects a documented pattern of regime reprisals against deportees with political backgrounds. In January 2026, activist Guillermo del Sol was interrogated for 12 hours by Cuban intelligence upon his deportation from the U.S. On the same flight as Linares Reyes, the Ministry of the Interior admitted three individuals were taken to investigation units upon landing.
Linares Reyes urgently appeals to Cuban-American congress members María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, and Mario Díaz-Balart, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to address his situation. "I fear for my freedom and physical safety. The Cuban regime maintains threats against me, and I am in a high-risk situation," he warned.
Understanding the Risks for Cuban Deportees
Why are Cuban deportees like Linares Reyes at risk?
Cuban deportees with political profiles face significant risks due to the regime's history of persecuting dissidents and critics. Upon return, they may be subjected to harassment, surveillance, and even torture, as part of efforts to suppress opposition.
What is the I-220A form used by the U.S. immigration system?
The I-220A form is a document used by ICE to temporarily release migrants under supervision. It does not grant permanent legal status but allows individuals to stay in the U.S. while they are monitored by immigration authorities.
How has the U.S. policy on deporting Cubans changed under different administrations?
Under the Trump administration, there was an increased focus on deporting Cubans, especially those holding I-220A. This resulted in a higher number of deportations, reflecting a shift towards stricter immigration enforcement.