A Cuban citizen was arrested in Colombia following an arrest warrant issued by Mexican authorities for the exploitation of women. Cristóbal Paulino Fernández was identified by Mexican authorities as the leader of a transnational criminal cell involved in human trafficking, according to local news outlet Info Yucatán.
Fernández owned several nightclubs in Mérida, Yucatán, including "Candela," "Tropicana Angus," and "Bandidas," as well as seven brothels where women were forced to work. Last Thursday, the Federal Attorney General's Office in Mexico raided and shut down all these establishments.
Coordinated International Effort
In a statement, the agency mentioned that "as a result of a coordinated investigation with Colombian authorities, three residences and three bars in Mérida were raided by elements of the Federal Ministerial Police (PFM), the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC), with support from the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA), which provided perimeter security." They also reported that the operation led to the rescue of eight Colombian nationals who were being exploited for sexual purposes.
Additionally, Soledad "A," allegedly the main operator in Mérida for the transnational human trafficking cell, was arrested. She was working in collaboration with Cristóbal.
Fernández's arrest was made possible through simultaneous work with Colombian authorities and the involvement of Interpol. "The necessary procedures are underway to present him before the authorities in Mexico," they stated.
Just hours ago, Texas authorities captured an illegal Cuban immigrant accused of multiple crimes, including trafficking and sexual assault. Raysel Carrion-Tamayo, 34, was arrested on June 20, 2024, in Del Valle, a suburb of Austin, the state capital.
Another Cuban, Emmanuel García Guzmán, was detained by police in Glendale, Los Angeles, for allegations of trafficking Cuban immigrants and forcing them into prostitution. Guzmán was arrested during an undercover operation in California, part of U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking involving Cuban nationals in areas like Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Miami, reported 13News.
In May, a Cuban couple was arrested in Miami on charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of two women they allegedly helped to reach the United States, only to force them into prostitution once they arrived. Vicenta Polanco, 30, and Luis Ariel Escalante, 24, were arrested and appeared before the court, where they were ordered to be held without bail.
Details on the Arrest and Human Trafficking Operations
To provide further clarity on the arrests and operations against human trafficking involving Cuban nationals, we have compiled some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Who is Cristóbal Paulino Fernández?
Cristóbal Paulino Fernández is a Cuban national accused of leading a transnational criminal cell involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women in Mérida, Yucatán.
What establishments were involved in the human trafficking operations?
The establishments involved were nightclubs "Candela," "Tropicana Angus," and "Bandidas," as well as seven brothels in Mérida, Yucatán.
How did the authorities manage to arrest Cristóbal Paulino Fernández?
Fernández was arrested through coordinated efforts between Colombian authorities and Interpol, following a raid conducted by various Mexican agencies.