Several Cubans deported from the United States to various African nations have shared harrowing experiences of prolonged detention, untreated illnesses, significant weight loss, separation from family, and deep uncertainty about their immigration status.
Their stories were gathered by Telemundo 51 during a virtual forum organized by The Workers Circle, featuring migrants sent to countries like Eswatini and the Central African Republic.
Among them was Roberto Mosquera del Peral, a Cuban now in Eswatini, who recounted arriving on a U.S. military aircraft. According to him, he has been imprisoned for roughly 14 months.
Mosquera described embarking on a 30-day hunger strike to protest his conditions, which eventually led to his transfer to a hospital. He also mentioned that only recently did he gain access to a phone to contact family and activists, highlighting the concern for his situation over the past months.
In October 2025, his lawyer reported that Mosquera was on a hunger strike in a maximum-security prison in Eswatini, having been detained for over three months without formal charges or legal assistance.
Mosquera also shared that he arrived in the United States during the Mariel boatlift in the 1980s and admitted to committing a crime in his youth, although he completed his sentence years ago. He has four daughters and regretted not being able to say goodbye before being sent to Africa.
Voices of Struggle and Hope
Another testimony came from Arístides Fernández García, 37, who ended up in the Central African Republic after entering the U.S. via the Mexican border in 2021 and receiving an I-220A form while awaiting a decision on his immigration case.
Fernández claimed he sought asylum due to political persecution linked to his family's history in Cuba and insisted he has no criminal record. In January 2026, he attended a migration hearing, hoping for progress, but was detained and shuffled through various detention centers, including the notorious "Alligator Alcatraz," where he spent 96 days.
He recounted falling ill with bronchitis without access to medication and losing approximately 60 pounds during detention. Fernández, who described the ordeal as akin to "a kidnapping," reported being left without documents or freedom to leave his lodging upon arriving in Bangui, with no clarity on his legal status.
Having lived in the U.S. for several years, he had a valid work permit until 2030 and a pending asylum application. Before being sent to Africa, he was repeatedly transferred between detention facilities.
Shifting Fates and Renewed Hopes
The third case was Yasmany Moreno, who entered the U.S. in 2016 and was arrested by ICE in Palm Beach in May 2025. Moreno explained that authorities challenged an alleged illegal entry in 2011, which he denied, providing documentation to support his claim.
His asylum request was eventually denied, leading to his deportation to the Central African Republic. Moreno, from Bangui, reported being without documents or freedom to move. He stated he was unaware of his destination until the flight was nearing its conclusion.
However, during the recent forum, Moreno revealed a development: officials informed him that his case contained errors, and he could be returned to the United States within 30 to 60 days, though details remain unclear.
The situations for Moreno and Fernández appeared to be improving, with both announcing their cases had been reopened by judges and receiving positive updates from their lawyers.
The forum also highlighted the lack of regular communication with other Cubans deported to African countries, mentioning names like Enrique Vargas, José Manuel Rodríguez Quiñónez, and Leonardo Sánchez, who were reportedly sent to Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
Deportations to third countries have reached various African nations. In August, it was confirmed that Cubans were among the first group of migrants deported by the U.S. to Liberia, as part of an agreement for the country to accept non-Liberian citizens.
Understanding the Plight of Deported Cubans
What conditions have deported Cubans faced in Africa?
Deported Cubans have experienced prolonged detention, untreated illnesses, significant weight loss, and separation from their families, along with uncertainty regarding their immigration status.
Why were Cubans sent to African countries?
Cubans were deported to African countries as part of agreements for these nations to accept migrants who are not their nationals. This has affected several individuals who were in the U.S. awaiting immigration proceedings.
What are the prospects for Cubans currently in Africa?
Some Cubans, like Yasmany Moreno and Arístides Fernández, have had their cases reopened, offering a potential return to the United States, although their situations remain uncertain and complex.