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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published images this Friday of the detention of the former lieutenant colonel of Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT), Jorge Luis Vega García, who was arrested on Tuesday in Florida.
On its X account, the ICE office in Tampa shared photos of the moment when agents intercepted and arrested the official accused of torture during the Black Spring of 2003.
"There is no safe place in the United States for those who are trying to escape their violent past," the agency wrote in its post.
Next, it was detailed that ICE detained Jorge Luis Vega García, 55 years old, for his alleged connections with the Castro regime and the Communist Party of Cuba.
Vega, known to former political prisoners as "Veguita," faces accusations for his alleged role in repressive actions in Cuban prisons.
The man legally entered the country on January 20, 2024 through Tampa International Airport, Florida, under the Humanitarian Parole program, as journalist Mario J. Pentón noted.
His presence in U.S. territory sparked controversy after it was revealed that he directed the notorious Agüica and Canaleta penitentiaries in the province of Matanzas during the hardest years of repression against opponents.
The arrest occurred after a report by Pentón that gathered testimonies from multiple former political prisoners such as Benito Ortega Suárez, Pablo Pacheco Ávila, Blas Giraldo Reyes, and Fidel Suárez Cruz, who accuse Vega of having ordered physical and psychological torture, prolonged confinement, and beatings during the Black Spring of 2003, when 75 opponents were arrested by Fidel Castro's regime.
Documents signed by Vega García himself, both in Cuba and in the United States, helped to confirm his identity.
A former official of the Cuban penitentiary system, Lainersy Ávila Castro, also confirmed that Vega was promoted before retiring from MININT, refuting any attempts to distance himself from his repressive past.
The victims of Vega García, such as Fidel Suárez Cruz and Blas Giraldo Reyes, have expressed their satisfaction with the arrest, considering it an act of justice and an important step toward holding the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Jorge Luis Vega García in the United States
Who is Jorge Luis Vega García and why was he arrested in the United States?
Jorge Luis Vega García is a former lieutenant colonel of the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, known for his repressive role in Cuban prisons. He was arrested in the United States due to his alleged connections to acts of torture and repression during the Black Spring of 2003 in Cuba. His detention occurred following the publication of a report that gathered testimonies from former political prisoners, who accuse him of having ordered physical and psychological tortures.
How did Jorge Luis Vega García manage to enter the United States?
Vega García legally entered the United States on January 20, 2024, through Tampa International Airport in Florida, under the Humanitarian Parole program. Subsequently, he applied for the Cuban Adjustment Act. However, his presence in the country sparked controversy due to his repressive history in Cuba, which was uncovered by journalists and victims of the regime.
What are the specific accusations against Jorge Luis Vega García?
Vega García is accused of participating in physical and psychological torture, prolonged confinement, and beatings of political prisoners. These actions took place in the Agüica and Canaleta prisons during his tenure, especially during the repression of the Black Spring of 2003 in Cuba. The testimonies of numerous former political prisoners have been crucial in bringing these allegations to light.
What actions are U.S. authorities taking regarding Vega García?
The U.S. authorities have arrested Vega García, but they have not yet disclosed the formal charges against him. However, a thorough investigation has been demanded by exile organizations and the victims, who insist that the response should not be limited to deportation, but should move towards a serious judicial process against Vega García.
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