The Cuban regime has systematically avoided accepting its citizens with criminal records repatriated from the United States, but it did not hesitate to praise Nicolás Maduro for welcoming over 250 Venezuelan migrants accused of belonging to a dangerous criminal gang.
The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, celebrated on the social media platform X the “liberation” of Venezuelans deported from the United States and imprisoned in El Salvador, handed over to Maduro's regime in exchange for political prisoners and American citizens.
"The return of these citizens to Venezuela is a triumph of the Bolivarian and Chavista Revolution, led by President Nicolás Maduro," Rodríguez wrote.
The operation, confirmed by the Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele, involved the transfer of 252 Venezuelan migrants detained in the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot).
Most of these individuals are believed to have ties to the criminal group Tren de Aragua. In return, Caracas released an unspecified number of political prisoners and ten Americans detained in Venezuela.
“As it was offered to the Venezuelan regime in April, we carried out this exchange for a considerable number of Venezuelan political prisoners, individuals that this regime had kept in its jails for years,” Bukele said.
Meanwhile, Havana maintains an opposing policy. Immigration lawyers have reported that the Cuban regime only accepts the return of young citizens with no criminal records, leaving many Cuban offenders outside the repatriation process.
Due to the refusal of Miguel Díaz-Canel's government to accept criminals, the United States has been forced to deport some Cubans to third countries, as recently occurred with two individuals sent to South Sudan, one of the most unstable countries on the planet.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that both men have a lengthy criminal history. Enrique Arias-Hierro was convicted of homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, identity theft, and burglary.
José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones was charged with attempted murder, physical assault, theft, and trafficking in dogs. Both were deemed a threat to public safety.
"In general terms, when we want to deport a Cuban citizen, we notify the regime. If they do not accept it, we have to look for other solutions," explained the chargé d'affaires of the United States Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer, during a press conference in Miami.
The migration policy of the Cuban regime seems to have a different standard depending on who the ally is. While it applauds Maduro's decision to welcome individuals accused of belonging to a criminal organization, it refuses to accept its own nationals if they pose a problem for its image or internal governance.
Once again, Havana demonstrates its double standard: it demands respect for migrants, yet scrutizines who it allows to return home.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Immigration Policies of Cuba and Venezuela
Why does the Cuban regime refuse to accept its citizens with criminal records?
The Cuban regime maintains a policy of accepting only young citizens without criminal records, which leaves many Cuban offenders outside the repatriation process. This policy is based on protecting the image and internal governance of the country, avoiding the reception of citizens who may pose a social or economic problem.
What happened to the Cubans deported to South Sudan?
Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones have been deported to South Sudan, a country to which they have no ties. This deportation was part of a policy of sending immigrants with criminal records to third countries when their countries of origin do not accept them. The decision has been criticized for the lack of security guarantees in the receiving country.
How did the Cuban regime react to the exchange of Venezuelan migrants for political prisoners?
The Cuban regime applauded the exchange operation carried out by Nicolás Maduro, calling it a victory for the Bolivarian Revolution. In contrast, Cuba continues to refuse to accept its own citizens with criminal records, which has been criticized as a double standard policy.
What does the policy of deporting to third countries implemented by the United States entail?
The deportation policy to third countries allows the United States to send unwanted immigrants to nations that are not their countries of origin, as in the case of Cubans sent to South Sudan. This measure is adopted when the countries of origin refuse to accept their deported citizens and has generated controversy over the security conditions in the receiving countries.
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