A Cuban deportee from the United States courageously placed himself between armed police officers and another detained migrant at a hotel in Equatorial Guinea, while a supervisor repeatedly commanded the officers to "Shoot him! Shoot him!"
This tense confrontation unfolded on September 4 at the Bamy Hotel in Malabo and was captured on cellphone videos released this Wednesday by The American Prospect.
The footage reveals Ahmed Soliman, a 30-year-old Egyptian-American held at the location since April, kneeling with his empty hands raised. Opposite him, a man in a black shirt stretches out his arms to shield Soliman from the officers, as one of the policemen takes aim with a rifle while kneeling.
Soliman identified the man attempting to shield him as a Cuban citizen who had arrived at the hotel just two weeks earlier. "He stepped in trying to protect me," Soliman told the American publication.
A Desperate Situation
Based on available information regarding the group of deportees and the circumstances, the man would be Leonardo Sánchez Fernández, a 49-year-old Cuban originally from San Miguel del Padrón and a long-time resident of Lehigh Acres, Florida. Sánchez had held legal permanent residency in the United States before being deported.
ICE deported him on August 20 on a flight departing from Alexandria, Louisiana, initially bound for Liberia. Upon arrival, Sánchez and other Cubans refused to disembark, after which they were taken to Malabo.
Sánchez later reported being shackled hand and foot for over 36 hours during the transfer.
Health Concerns and Lack of Medical Care
His situation is particularly precarious due to his health condition. The Cuban suffers from a large ventral hernia following nine surgeries resulting from multiple stab wounds he received nearly a decade ago in Hialeah, which left him in a coma for 40 days.
He was scheduled for a tenth surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, but after arriving in Equatorial Guinea, he reported that he could not receive medical care at a local hospital. "At the hospital, they said that without documents, the doctors wouldn't take responsibility for me," he recounted.
Ongoing Tensions and Hunger Strike
The standoff on September 4 occurred after several days of tension at the hotel. According to The American Prospect, on August 31, Soliman and other migrants from third countries initiated a hunger strike to demand travel documents.
The incident concluded with the arrival of an official referred to as "the Director" by the migrants. "He calmed everyone down," Soliman said. His phone was returned, although other deportees remain without their devices, which serve as critical communication tools with family and the outside world.
The Bamy Hotel operates, according to The American Prospect, as a de facto detention center for migrants deported by the United States to third countries. The publication notes that at least 63 individuals have been transferred there on six ICE flights since November 2025.
Controversial Deportation Agreement
These deportations occur under an agreement between the Trump administration and the government of Equatorial Guinea, led by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979.
The American Prospect estimates the agreement at $7.5 million, with funds sourced from resources intended for humanitarian assistance for refugees.
Soliman acknowledged fears of potential reprisals after the footage emerged but declared he was "willing to be afraid." For him, the recordings now provide evidence of activities inside the hotel: "Now there are videos of them violating their supposed diplomatic assurances."
This case is part of a series of repercussions stemming from deportations enforced by ICE. Follow all the details in our U.S. Immigration section.
Key Questions About the Equatorial Guinea Incident
Who is Leonardo Sánchez Fernández?
Leonardo Sánchez Fernández is a 49-year-old Cuban deportee originally from San Miguel del Padrón, who lived for many years in Lehigh Acres, Florida, before being deported from the United States.
What health issues does Sánchez Fernández face?
Sánchez Fernández is suffering from a large ventral hernia, which is a result of nine surgeries following multiple stab wounds he received nearly a decade ago. He was awaiting a tenth surgery in Miami before being deported.
What role does the Bamy Hotel play in this situation?
The Bamy Hotel in Malabo serves as a de facto detention center for migrants deported by the United States to third countries, according to The American Prospect.