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New accusations against the Cuban Yordanis Cobos Martínez have emerged following his recent arrest in Dallas, Texas, for the brutal murder of a motel manager.
Relatives of a victim in Cuba claim that Cobos may also have been involved in a homicide that occurred in 2008 in the municipality of Mayarí, Holguín province.
According to statements made to journalist Javier Díaz of Univisión, the family of aman identified as Rolando Peña Almaguer claims that it was Cobos who fatally stabbed Peña during a dispute, but his uncle reportedly took full blame to prevent the young man from going to jail.
As a result, Yordanis was not prosecuted for that crime and was able to leave the country years later.
"We know it was him who killed him. But his uncle took the blame, and that’s how they protected him," commented a family member of the victim on the condition of anonymity.
An interview with Peña's son, who resides in the United States and demands justice, is expected to be published in the coming days.
The 2008 case was not investigated thoroughly, according to family members, due to a lack of willing witnesses to testify and alleged irregularities in the investigation.
The victim, Rolando Peña Almaguer, was a well-known resident in the rural area of Mayarí.
Yordanis Cobos Martínez, currently 37 years old, was arrested last week in Dallas after decapitating with a machete the manager of the Downtown Suites Motel, Chandra Nagamallaiah, in front of the victim's wife and child.
The crime, recorded by surveillance cameras, shocked the local community and generated national outrage in the United States.
After the crime in Texas, multiple criminal records of Cobos have come to light, both in Cuba and the U.S. Reports from Cuban-American journalists assert that Cobos was also linked to another murder on the island and had a history of theft.
The brutal crime in Dallas has reignited the debate over U.S. immigration policy and the lack of cooperation from the Cuban regime regarding deportations.
Cobos was released by ICE in January 2025 despite having an active deportation order, because Cuba refused to accept him.
The new revelations from Cuba could add more charges against him and indicate a pattern of violent behavior that dates back over a decade.
The president Donald Trump demanded a tough response following the crime in Dallas, attributed to the Cuban criminal.
Frequently asked questions about the case of Yordanis Cobos and his criminal history
Who is Yordanis Cobos Martínez?
Yordanis Cobos Martínez is a 37-year-old Cuban citizen who was recently arrested in Dallas, Texas, for the brutal murder of a motel manager. Additionally, he faces charges of having committed a homicide in Cuba in 2008 and has a criminal record both in the United States and on the island.
What criminal record does Yordanis Cobos have?
In the United States, Cobos has faced charges of false imprisonment, indecency with a minor, and vehicle theft, among others. In Cuba, he is accused of committing a murder in 2008 and another before emigrating. Additionally, he has been imprisoned for theft on the island.
Why was Yordanis Cobos released by ICE in 2025?
The ICE released Cobos in January 2025 because the Cuban regime refused to take him back due to his criminal record. Although he had an active deportation order, there was no significant likelihood of deportation in the foreseeable future.
What has been the reaction in the United States to Cobos' crime in Dallas?
The case has generated national outrage and has reignited the debate on U.S. immigration policy. Figures such as President Donald Trump have called for stricter measures against illegal immigration and criticized the previous administration for the release of Cobos.
What implications does this case have for the deportation policy between Cuba and the United States?
The case of Yordanis Cobos has highlighted the challenges in cooperation between the two countries regarding deportations. Cuba's refusal to accept the return of nationals with violent backgrounds has intensified the debate on how to manage public safety and the repatriation of immigrants with criminal records.
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