Leandro Rubén Garnica González, a former officer of the feared State Security Department (DSE) in the Cuban province of Cienfuegos, has voluntarily left the United States after more than ten years of permanent residency, amid increasing scrutiny towards former repressive officials of the Cuban regime who managed to settle in American territory.
According to the information provided by journalist Mario Pentón on his various communication channels, his departure took place on April 16, 2025, as confirmed by the YouTube channel Molinos de Libertad, which was the first outlet to report the case.
Garnica, who arrived in the United States in 2013, attempted to obtain U.S. citizenship, but his application was denied due to his past as a repressor, according to reports from the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) and sources close to his family.
Although he maintains his status as a legal resident, his return to the island coincides with the U.S. government's tighter surveillance actions towards former agents of the Cuban regime identified for human rights violations.
Accused of torture and death threats
The name of Garnica González appears in reports of abuse within Cuba's repressive structures, with serious accusations that include torture and coercion, according to what was presented by the journalist based in Miami, Florida.
One of the most documented cases is that of former political prisoner Jorge Luis Brito Rodríguez, who was arrested in 1993 and subjected to brutal interrogations at the Technical Investigation Department (DTI) in Cienfuegos.
According to testimonies gathered by the FHRC, Garnica allegedly directly participated in physical and psychological torture methods. The victim reported that, upon refusing to sign a fabricated statement, Garnica threatened to "kick his liver out through his mouth."
He was also kept in isolation, denied family visits, and subjected to beatings carried out by false common prisoners who were later identified as undercover agents.
An increasing trend
The departure of Garnica adds to the list of alleged Cuban repressive agents who, faced with the risk of being prosecuted for their crimes in the U.S., choose to return to Cuba voluntarily. In recent months, there have been other similar cases:
Evelio Eduardo Velázquez Infante, also a former official of the MININT, returned to Las Tunas after being publicly denounced.
Misael Enamorado, another individual involved in repressive acts, left the U.S. under media pressure.
Daniel Morejón García was arrested by ICE after concealing information about his ties to the regime.
Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez, deported for her undisclosed communist activism.
In the crosshairs of Congress
The case of Garnica appears on the list of alleged Cuban repressors sent by Congressman Carlos Giménez to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State, and the Department of Justice.
The letter requests the investigation of the identified individuals, as well as the revocation of their immigration status in the event of confirming their involvement in human rights violations.
The campaign launched from Congress aims to halt the use of the U.S. immigration system as a refuge for former officials of the Cuban repressive apparatus, many of whom arrived under migration benefits such as humanitarian parole or the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Implicit acknowledgment of guilt?
Although Garnica González has not been detained or formally charged by U.S. authorities, his return to Cuba—without renouncing his residency—could be seen as an attempt to avoid a possible expulsion or legal proceedings.
The fact fuels the debate on the need to more rigorously filter migrants coming from authoritarian regimes, especially those who have participated in repression mechanisms.
In a context of increased political pressure and media attention, the message seems clearer than ever: The United States will no longer be a refuge for the repressors of Castroism.
Frequently asked questions about the self-deportation of Cuban repressors in the U.S.
Why did Leandro Rubén Garnica González self-deport from the United States?
Leandro Rubén Garnica González self-deported due to his past as a repressor and the increasing scrutiny in the U.S. towards former Cuban officials linked to human rights violations. Although he maintained his legal resident status, he decided to return to Cuba, likely to avoid a possible judicial process or deportation. The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba reported his involvement in acts of torture and threats during his time as an official of the State Security Department in Cienfuegos.
What actions is the U.S. Congress taking against Cuban repressors in the country?
The U.S. Congress, led by Congressman Carlos Giménez, is calling for investigations and the revocation of the immigration status of identified Cuban repressors in the country. Giménez has sent lists of alleged human rights violators to the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice, seeking to prevent the use of the U.S. immigration system as a refuge for these individuals.
How many Cuban repressive agents have entered the United States in recent years?
According to the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC), at least 135 Cuban repressors have entered the United States or are in the process of doing so since the creation of the "Cuban Repressors" project in 2017. These individuals have been identified for their involvement in serious human rights violations in Cuba and pose a risk to security in the U.S.
What measures is the Cuban government taking in response to the deportation of its nationals from the U.S.?
The Cuban regime has expressed its concern over what it considers discriminatory policies from the U.S. against Cubans. However, these statements have been met with skepticism due to the history of human rights violations on the island. Havana seeks to position itself as a defender of its citizens, while critics point out that the regime's real concern is to maintain the financial flows from remittances.
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