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Lázaro Cárdenas, a 61-year-old Cuban citizen, was deported from Russia after spending several years homeless in the city of Yekaterinburg, due to the loss of his immigration status and the lack of valid documentation.
Ex fitness instructor and salsa teacher, Cárdenas had been separated from his family for more than a decade and had been living in extreme conditions since 2021.
According to the local outlet URA.RU, Cárdenas arrived in Russia for the first time in 1986 to study in Magnitogorsk.
He briefly returned to Cuba in the 1990s, but in 2012 he decided to settle back in Russia, where he started working as a dance and fitness instructor in Yekaterinburg.
However, a series of personal failures and the deterioration of his living conditions left him unemployed, homeless, and without a residence permit.
The story of Lázaro took a dramatic turn when he was found by the police at a bus stop, showing obvious signs of frostbite. Due to the injuries, doctors amputated the phalanges of two fingers.
The colonel Valery Gorelykh, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior in Sverdlovsk, stated that the officers saved his life by immediately transferring him to a medical center and then to the Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Citizens.
Lázaro's repatriation process was complex, as he did not have a passport or a return certificate.
The Ombudsman of the region, Tatyana Merzlyakova, took a personal interest in the case and attempted, unsuccessfully, to obtain the documents through official channels, including the Embassy of Cuba and the International Organization for Migration.
It was then that he turned to the press. URA.RU located Cárdenas's ex-wife, who resides in Greece with her children, and collaborated by providing them with key information and documents. This intervention allowed the Cuban ambassador to Russia, Julio Antonio Garmendia Peña, to facilitate the restoration of the Cuban's identity.
Two months later, and thanks to coordination among authorities, diplomats, and journalists, Cárdenas received a new passport and his return flight to Cuba was scheduled for April 8.
Although in a situation that is not similar to Lázaro's experience, it was recently reported that Russian authorities detained 17 Cuban nationals in the Krymsk district, Krasnodar region, for being in an irregular migration status.
All were transferred to detention centers and faced fines, deportation, and a ban on entering Russia for a period of five to ten years, according to the Administrative Offenses Code of the Eurasian country.
Since the implementation of the visa waiver agreement between the two countries in 2018, thousands of Cubans have traveled to Russia legally for periods of up to 90 days.
However, many of them stay longer than permitted or engage in work activities without the proper permits, which exposes them to arrests and expulsions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans from Russia
Why was Lázaro Cárdenas deported from Russia to Cuba?
Lázaro Cárdenas was deported from Russia to Cuba due to the loss of his immigration status and lack of valid documentation, which left him homeless in Yekaterinburg. His repatriation was made possible through the intervention of his ex-wife and the Ambassador of Cuba in Russia, who facilitated the restoration of his identity and the issuance of a new passport.
What challenges do Cubans in irregular situations face in Russia?
Cubans in irregular situations in Russia face detentions, fines, deportations, and entry bans for periods of up to ten years. Since the visa exemption in 2018, many have stayed beyond the permitted time or have worked without the necessary permits, which has increased immigration control measures by the Russian authorities.
What is the current situation of Cuban migrants in Russia?
Currently, the situation of Cuban migrants in Russia is challenging due to the tightening of immigration laws. Authorities have implemented a control registry for foreigners in irregular situations, which restricts their access to employment, education, and public services. Those who do not regularize their status by April 30, 2025, face expulsion starting May 1, 2025.
What measures have been taken to control illegal immigration in Russia?
Russia has implemented a national registry of controlled individuals for illegal migrants, which is used to verify the legal status of foreigners before offering them services or employment. Additionally, authorities have increased immigration controls and established bans for those who do not regularize their situation before the deadline.
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