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The United States government sent a new group of illegal immigrants of various nationalities to Eswatini, including Cuban citizens.
As part of its controversial program to expel individuals to third countries, the Trump administration sent 10 men to the African nation: three Vietnamese, one Filipino, and one Cambodian, along with others from Chad and Cuba.
According to the agency AP, the group departed from Louisiana and after making stops in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola, arrived on Monday, October 6, in the nation located in southern Africa.
The Correctional Services Division of the Kingdom of Eswatini did not identify them.
Baphelele Kunene, spokesperson for the agency, stated in a statement that they are in good health and have been "safely housed in one of the country's correctional facilities," while the Government collaborates with local and international stakeholders to facilitate their orderly repatriation.
They were detained in the Mastapha Correctional Facility, where four others who were deported in July are also held. Among them is the Cuban Roberto Mosquera del Peral.
The first Cuban deported to Eswatini
In the first group sent to Eswatini is the Cuban Roberto Mosquera del Peral, whose case is attracting particular attention.
The DHS presented him as a profile with serious prior offenses: convictions for first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, grand theft auto, reckless driving with aggravated fleeing, and a confirmed member of the Latin Kings gang.
A report from the law firm Novo Legal has reported that Mosquera del Peral spent weeks in a maximum security prison in Eswatini without formal charges and without access to legal representation.
Her lawyer, Alma David, accused the government of Eswatini of trying to obstruct the visibility of the case and accused the authorities of lying "outrageously" before the High Court.
In her opinion, this demonstrates that "there is simply no legitimate legal basis for the imprisonment of these men in the territory of Eswatini."
Cuba rejects citizens with serious criminal records, facilitating deportation to third countries
The cases of Cubans expelled from the United States to third countries reveal the stance of the Havana regime regarding migration agreements with Washington.
Although Cuba officially commits to receiving its deported citizens, in practice it systematically rejects those with serious criminal records.
Their rejection opens the door to a controversial alternative: deportation to a third country with no cultural, linguistic, or legal ties to the citizen.
The last 10 out of more than 40 deportees sent to Africa since July
According to AP, the 10 men who arrived this week in Eswatini are the last of more than 40 deported to Africa since July, following agreements between the White House and at least five African nations willing to accept migrants.
The U.S. administration and the authorities of Eswatini presented the operation as a security measure.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, stated in a statement that the deported immigrants "have been convicted of heinous crimes including murder and rape."
"The Trump Administration is fulfilling the President's promise to carry out the largest operation of mass deportation of illegal criminal immigrants using all the tools at our disposal," he added.
In contrast to that official version, defense attorneys and legal organizations have raised objections regarding the legality and the conditions in which the detainees are being held.
Tin Thanh Nguyen, the attorney representing three of the men from the most recent transfer and two from a previous flight, stated that even if his clients were returned to their countries soon, deportations to third countries remain illegal.
Nguyen also reported obstacles in communicating with them: "I can't call them. I can't send them emails. I can't reach out to a local lawyer because the government of Eswatini is blocking access."
The last absolute monarchy in Africa is the destination of "recalcitrant" migrants
The Trump administration found in Eswatini, a small monarchy nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, a new destination for those "recalcitrant" cases.
According to the portal Axios, the relocation is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and the African monarchy in May, which stipulates that Eswatini will accept up to 160 deportees from third countries and will receive 5.1 million dollars for this commitment.
Since the first wave sent in July, the Trump administration has carried out 30 deportations to African nations.
U.S. authorities describe the inmates as "dangerous criminals" who, in many cases, have served sentences for serious offenses.
However, international human rights organizations have sharply criticized the policy for sending migrants to countries with regimes considered authoritarian, where they may lack basic guarantees such as access to lawyers or a fair trial.
Eswatini -formerly known as Swaziland- is a country of approximately 1.2 million inhabitants ruled by King Mswati III since 1986.
It is considered one of the few absolute monarchies that still exist in the world, with political parties effectively banned and recurring reports of repression against pro-democracy movements, as well as episodes of state violence during protests, such as those in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans to Eswatini
Why does the United States deport Cubans to Eswatini?
The United States deports Cubans to Eswatini as part of a program to remove immigrants with serious criminal records, when their countries of origin, such as Cuba, refuse to accept them. Eswatini has been one of the chosen destinations for these cases due to an agreement with the Trump administration.
What conditions do deportees face in Eswatini?
Deportees in Eswatini face difficult conditions. They are held in maximum-security prisons and have no access to legal representation. This regime has been criticized by human rights organizations due to the lack of legal guarantees and the treatment of detainees.
What is the Cuban government's stance regarding its deported citizens?
The Cuban regime systematically refuses to accept citizens with serious criminal records, despite officially committing to receive their deported nationals. This refusal has contributed to these individuals being sent to third countries like Eswatini.
What criticisms has the United States' deportation policy to third countries received?
The United States' deportation policy to third countries has faced severe criticism from international human rights organizations. The critiques focus on the legality of the deportations and the conditions faced by the deported individuals, who often lack basic guarantees such as access to lawyers or a fair trial.
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