Cuban man accused of animal cruelty and domestic violence in the U.S. awaits deportation

U.S. authorities reported on Tuesday the arrest of Osiel Rodríguez-González, a Cuban citizen living in the U.S. illegally, who was apprehended by Border Patrol agents in the Florida Keys.

The chief of the Miami Sector of the Border Patrol reported on the social media platform X that Rodríguez-González, in addition to facing charges of animal cruelty, also has a record for domestic violence and cocaine trafficking.

He is currently in federal custody awaiting his deportation process, the statement emphasized.

In April 2024, Rodríguez-González was arrested in the city of Marathon, in the Florida Keys, for hitting and suffocating a small dog.

According to Adam Linhardt, spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, several witnesses alerted the police about the assault that occurred at a residence on Sombrero Beach Road around 8:20 p.m.

Eyewitnesses reported that, in a fit of rage, the accused began to insult the dog, hit it, and strangled it by the neck, the statement noted.

The animal managed to escape and hid under a passing car. The driver of the vehicle stopped to pick up the dog, but Rodríguez-González violently snatched the pet away, pulling it by the throat.

When the agents arrived at the scene, they noticed that the dog was visibly trembling and appeared to be hiding from its owner.

Subsequently, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals examined the animal, which did not show any serious injuries, according to the official report.

Rodríguez-González was arrested and taken to the county jail with a bail set at $75,000.

Donald Trump's immigration policy continues to generate controversy in the United States and affects thousands of Cuban migrants.

Recently, the arrest of Yolanda Magallón Pérez, an undocumented mother in California, sparked outrage because she was the primary caregiver for her daughter, Xitlali Tejeda, who suffers from aggressive bone cancer.

The detention, carried out by ICE, left the young woman without support, which has led to protests from pro-immigrant organizations and calls for Magallón's release.

The case of Yolanda occurs in the context of mass deportations of Cubans under the Trump administration. On February 27th, 104 Cubans were repatriated on the first deportation flight since the former president resumed power.

The operation, carried out under heavy security measures, is part of the migration agreements between Washington and Havana. To date, a total of 296 Cubans have been returned to the island in 2025.

The detention of Magallón and the increase in deportations reflect the tightening of immigration policies in the United States. Despite pressure from activists and local politicians, the chances of Xitlali's mother obtaining bail are low, as current legislation does not provide immigration benefits when the dependent is an adult.

As uncertainty grows among migrants, Cuban authorities have confirmed that deported individuals are being investigated and, in some cases, detained for having left the country illegally or for having criminal records. In this tense situation, thousands of Cubans in the U.S. fear they may be the next to be expelled.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrest of Osiel Rodríguez-González and Animal Cruelty in the U.S.