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The former lieutenant colonel of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) Jorge Luis Vega García, known as “Veguita”, was deported to Cuba on November 6, following a court ruling that ordered his permanent expulsion from the United States.
Martí Noticias confirmed the deportation of Vega García after speaking with close family sources regarding the case. They indicated that the former Cuban lieutenant no longer appears in public records as being detained in facilities of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Vega García, 55 years old, entered U.S. territory in January 2024 through the humanitarian parole program at Tampa International Airport.
His arrival sparked a wave of outrage among former political prisoners and Cuban exile activists, who identify him as one of the most feared repressors of the island's prison system, particularly in the prisons of Agüica (Matanzas) and Canaleta (Ciego de Ávila).
He was arrested by the authorities on August 5, 2025. An immigration judge in Miami ordered his deportation after weeks of deliberations.
The U.S. authorities acknowledged the reports of human rights violations during their time at MININT. The decision became final as no appeals were filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Subsequently, ICE released images of the moment of his transfer to prison, in which “Veguita” is shown handcuffed and under the custody of federal agents. In a statement, they indicated that “there is no safe place in the United States for individuals trying to escape their violent past” in Cuba.
Testimonies collected by Martí Noticias and human rights organizations accuse Vega García of orchestrating beatings, prolonged confinement, medical deprivation, and the use of common prisoners to harass incarcerated opponents.
The Cuban-American activist Luis Domínguez, who participated in the investigation that led to the location of the former officer, described the measure as “a partial victory for the victims.”
"Veguita cannot enjoy in a land free from the impunity he had in Cuba," he stated.
The case sets a precedent in U.S. immigration policy regarding former officials of the communist regime, at a time when Washington is reviewing the backgrounds of humanitarian parole beneficiaries with connections to repressive structures.
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