Two Cubans arrested in Texas for illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license

José Manuel Cendán Ley, who worked as a medical assistant at a clinic in Texas, is accused of performing an illegal abortion and practicing without a license, while nurse Rubildo Labañino Matos faces a charge of conspiracy to practice medicine without legal authorization.

Waller Latinoamericana Clinic in Texas, one of those involved in the illegal abortion practice casePhoto © Deon 24

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Two Cubans were arrested in Texas, accused of being involved in the practice of illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license, state authorities reported.

The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, announced on Tuesday the arrest of two Cuban immigrants in connection with the case of the midwife María Margarita Rojas, who operated a network of clinics near Houston and is accused of performing illegal abortions in the state.

José Manuel Cendán Ley, 29 years old, was arrested on March 17 for the illegal practice of abortion and practicing medicine without a license. He worked as a medical assistant at the Waller Latin American Clinic in Waller County and assisted Rojas in performing at least one illegal abortion.

According to the press release from the Texas Attorney General's Office, the Cuban citizen entered the United States irregularly in 2022 and subsequently obtained probation, benefiting from the immigration policy of the administration of President Joe Biden.

The court records of the case, cited by the news agency AP, indicate that Cendán was first arrested on March 6, released on bail a few days later, and arrested again this Monday.

Cendán is originally from Manzanillo, in Granma, and studied at the University of Medical Sciences in that province, according to information from his social media consulted by CiberCuba.

In connection with the same investigation, Cuban Rubildo Labañino Matos, 54 years old, was also arrested on March 8, after returning to the U.S. from Cuba.

Authorities clarified that Labañino is a practicing nurse, whose license is currently under probation (conditional release) by the Nursing Board, and he is accused of conspiracy to practice medicine without a license.

The arrests of Cubans occurred following a thorough investigation that is still ongoing, led by the Law Enforcement Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office.

On Monday, Attorney General Paxton announced the arrest of Rojas, 48, who operated three clinics northwest of Houston that performed illegal abortions. The midwife, known as “Dr. María” and whose nationality has not been disclosed by authorities, was charged with illegally performing an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license.

The statement revealed that “these clinics illegally employed unlicensed individuals who falsely posed as licensed medical professionals to provide medical treatment.”

"Those who kill unborn babies through illegal abortions in Texas will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and I will not rest until justice is served," stated the Attorney General. "I will continue to fight to protect life and to ensure that anyone guilty of violating our state's pro-life laws is held accountable."

The Texas Human Life Protection Act, which came into effect in 2021, prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy, except in cases where the patient has a potentially life-threatening condition. This legislation is one of the strictest abortion bans in the U.S.

Those who are found guilty of performing an illegal abortion in the southern state could face up to 20 years in prison, AP specified. Practicing medicine without a license can be penalized with sentences of up to 10 years in prison.

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the historic Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, which recognized a woman's constitutional right to abortion and legalized it nationwide, leading to mass protests in several states.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrests of Cubans in Texas for Illegal Abortions

Why were the two Cubans arrested in Texas?

The two Cubans were arrested for being involved in the practice of illegal abortions and the practice of medicine without a license in Texas. One of them, José Manuel Cendán Ley, was detained for performing an illegal abortion and practicing medicine without a license, while Rubildo Labañino Matos was arrested for conspiracy to practice medicine without a license.

Who is María Margarita Rojas and what is her relation to the case?

María Margarita Rojas is a midwife accused of operating a network of clinics that performed illegal abortions near Houston, Texas. She is implicated in the same case as the two Cubans who were arrested, who apparently collaborated with her in these illegal practices.

What are the possible penalties for performing illegal abortions in Texas?

The penalties for performing illegal abortions in Texas can include sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, practicing medicine without a license can be punished with up to 10 years in prison, according to the Texas Human Life Protection Act.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.