Related videos:
The United States has deported five migrants of various nationalities -including a Cuban- to the distant African kingdom of Eswatini, as part of an expansion of the expulsion program to third countries initiated by the administration of President Donald Trump.
According to Tricia McLaughlin, the Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, who confirmed this on Wednesday, the deportees were selected based on their criminal history.
“These individuals are so uniquely barbaric that their countries of origin refused to take them back,” McLaughlin declared on X.
The Cuban citizen included in this flight had been convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, grand theft auto, reckless driving with aggravated fleeing, and is identified as a confirmed member of the Latin Kings gang.
Although the news of the deportations has been celebrated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it has raised concerns among human rights groups regarding the fate and rights of the deported individuals, sent to a country with no connection to their origins.
The refusal of the Cuban regime
The case of the Cuban migrant, whose identity has not been disclosed by U.S. authorities, reveals the stance of the Havana regime regarding immigration agreements with Washington.
Although Cuba officially commits to receiving its deported citizens, in practice it systematically rejects those with serious criminal records, reviewing each case through the Ministry of the Interior (MININT)
The refusal to accept the Cuban opened the door to a controversial alternative: deportation to a third country with no cultural, linguistic, or legal ties to the migrant.
The Trump administration found in Eswatini, a small monarchy nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, a new destination for those "recalcitrant" cases.
What is Eswatini?
Formerly known as Swaziland, Eswatini is a country with just 1.2 million inhabitants.
Governed by King Mswati III since 1986, it is considered the last absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the few that still exist in the world.
Political parties are de facto prohibited, and international organizations have denounced systematic repression against pro-democracy movements.
The Mswati regime has been criticized for its lavish lifestyle in a country where a large portion of the population lives in poverty.
Protests that took place in 2021 in the country were harshly repressed, resulting in dozens of deaths.
Despite such a scenario, Washington has discreetly tightened its ties with the kingdom, facilitating agreements such as the one that allowed for the arrival of the flight with deportees.
The Cuban, a "depraved monster" according to Washington
U.S. authorities have portrayed the deported group as a neutralized threat.
"They have terrorized American communities," said McLaughlin, who described the five men as "depraved monsters."
DHS did not provide details about the date or the departure point of the flight to Eswatini, nor did it confirm whether the men were extracted directly from prisons or as part of immigration operations.
The background of the Cuban is particularly serious.
In addition to his association with the Latin Kings, he had served a three-year prison sentence for violent charges, including the assault of a police officer, a crime that is severely punished in the United States.
"It is not a dumping ground for criminals."
The decision to send deportees to Eswatini has raised concerns both inside and outside the African country.
The pro-democracy organization SWALIMO warned about the secrecy of the agreement and questioned the risks of housing individuals with such complex criminal backgrounds.
"Hosting and managing individuals with serious criminal convictions can pose significant challenges," stated spokesperson Ingiphile Dlamini, who also condemned the "notable lack of official communication" from the Eswatini government concerning the agreement with Washington.
In response to social concerns, the spokesperson for the Eswatini government, Thabile Mdluli, stated that the five inmates are currently housed in isolated correctional units, and that they "pose no threat to the country or its citizens."
Furthermore, it was confirmed that they are working with the United Nations immigration agency to facilitate the return of the deportees to their countries of origin, although there is no set date or guarantee of repatriation.
Expanding deportations
The Supreme Court of the United States cleared the way for this type of deportations following a recent ruling that allows migrants to be sent to countries other than their own.
In May, two Cubans -José Manuel Rodríguez Quiñones and Enrique Arias Hierro- were sent to South Sudan, after the Cuban regime refused to accept them.
The Trump administration is discreetly negotiating similar agreements with at least 58 countries, many of them in Africa.
Rwanda has publicly acknowledged that it is in talks with Washington, while other countries like Nigeria have refused to accept deportees who are not their own citizens.
Currently, 23 countries are on the State Department's list of "recalcitrant" nations, including Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and China.
While U.S. authorities describe these expulsions as a success in terms of national security, the future of the deported Cuban remains uncertain.
It has not been specified whether he has access to legal representation, nor if he will be able to communicate with his family in Cuba or the United States. It is also unclear whether he could be transferred to a third country, or if he will remain in custody indefinitely under the regime of Mswati III.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans to Third Countries
Why does the United States deport Cubans to third countries like Eswatini?
The United States has begun deporting Cubans to third countries such as Eswatini because Cuba refuses to accept citizens with serious criminal records. This practice has intensified under the Trump administration, which is seeking new strategies to manage migrants who cannot be repatriated to their countries of origin.
What criteria are used to select Cubans deported to third countries?
Cubans deported to third countries often have serious criminal records. In the case of the Cuban deported to Eswatini, he had been convicted of several crimes, including first-degree murder and aggravated assault on a police officer, and was a gang member. These offenses contribute to his home country refusing to accept him back.
What is Eswatini and why is it relevant in these deportations?
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa. It is relevant in these deportations because it has been chosen by the United States as a destination for deported migrants, despite having no cultural or legal ties to them. Washington has strengthened its ties with Eswatini, facilitating agreements for deportations.
What is the Cuban regime's stance on the repatriation of its deported citizens?
Although Cuba officially commits to receiving its deported citizens, in practice it systematically rejects those with serious criminal records. This stance has led the United States to seek alternatives, such as deportation to third countries, for individuals that Cuba refuses to accept.
Filed under: