Roberto Peña, son of a man murdered in Cuba in 2008, stated from the United States that Yordanis Cobos-Martínez —the same Cuban charged with recently beheading his boss at a motel in Dallas, Texas— was also responsible for his father's death.
In an interview with journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión, Peña recounted that his father, Rolando Peña Almaguer, 42 years old, died after receiving a fatal stab wound from Cobos in Mayarí, Holguín.
According to his account, although several witnesses identified him as guilty, another family member took responsibility for the crime and served only three years in prison, which allowed Cobos to remain free and unpunished.
"Everyone in Mayarí knows that on May 27, 2008, he, his uncle Felo, and a group assaulted my dad, but he was the one who delivered that stab that took his life," he said.
"Everyone in the town knew it was him, but they never condemned him. That destroyed my life", he stated, recalling that he was 19 years old when he lost his father.
The victim's son claimed that Cobos had some degree of protection as a police informant, which granted him impunity in other violent crimes.
"We spoke with all the individuals who could provide information close to the location, who he was an informant for the sector chief, who at that time was a man referred to as 'Pasta cubana'," he added, and detailed that the crime was the reason why young Peña decided to leave Cuba."
The accusation adds to testimonies that describe Cobos as a violent man with a history of assaults.
The case gained notoriety after the brutal murder in Dallas, which even prompted reactions from former President Donald Trump.
Peña urged U.S. authorities to seek justice: “I don’t want him killed, I want him to have a fair trial and to serve time in prison, to endure what we endured: living dead.”
The testimony brings back into focus Cobos' criminal record and the fact that, despite previous reports, he was able to leave Cuba and reach the United States before committing the murder that currently keeps him behind bars.
Yordanis Cobos Martínez, currently 37 years old, was arrested last week in Dallas after beheading the manager of the Downtown Suites Motel, Chandra Nagamallaiah, in front of the victim's wife and son.
The crime, captured by surveillance cameras, shocked the local community and sparked national outrage in the United States.
Following 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 state that Cobos was also linked to another murder on the island and had a history of robbery.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Yordanis Cobos-Martínez
What crimes are attributed to Yordanis Cobos-Martínez?
Yordanis Cobos-Martínez is accused of murdering the manager of a motel in Dallas, Texas, by beheading him with a machete. Additionally, he is linked to other murders in Cuba, where he allegedly stabbed a man in 2008 and was involved in another homicide during a dispute over horse theft. He also has a criminal record for theft and other offenses in the United States.
Why was Yordanis Cobos-Martínez not deported to Cuba?
Cobos-Martínez was not deported to Cuba because the Cuban regime refused to accept him due to his criminal record. Despite having an active deportation order, he was released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January 2025, as there was no significant prospect for immediate deportation.
What impact has the case had on immigration policies in the United States?
The case of Yordanis Cobos-Martínez has reignited the debate over U.S. immigration policy. There has been strong criticism of the current administration for allowing immigrants with criminal backgrounds to remain in the country. President Donald Trump has called for stricter measures to manage illegal immigration, stating that crimes like this are "completely preventable."
Filed under:
