At 59 years old, Juan Carlos Font Agüero, a Cuban national, was deported from the United States to the Kingdom of Eswatini in southern Africa after the Cuban regime refused to take him back.
His family on the island has been living a nightmare since, desperately pleading for his return before he succumbs to illness in a prison far from home, in a country he had never set foot in.
This case was confirmed by U.S. officials to journalist Mario J. Pentón of Martí Noticias, who also spoke with the family and verified that Havana repeatedly rejected his repatriation.
Meanwhile, Font Agüero remains imprisoned without a formal sentence or release date.
A Forced, Blindfolded Transfer with No Clear Destination
Yessica de la Caridad García Negrín, his stepdaughter, recounted that the ordeal began six months ago when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Font Agüero after he completed a 17-year sentence in the United States for second-degree murder.
The family maintains it was a case of self-defense and that upon release, he was working and reintegrated into society.
What followed was a distressing and irregular deportation process. Communication with him ceased, and for fifteen days, they had no word from him until he called to say he was in Africa.
“He told us they transported him blindfolded, with multiple layovers, and he was utterly confused,” shared the family source.
Upon finally learning his whereabouts, they discovered he had been taken to Eswatini, where he remains detained without having committed any crime there.
Since arriving at the African prison, Font Agüero has reported health issues without receiving proper medical care. He suffers from a chronic prostate condition that has worsened.
“When he got there, he was urinating blood [...] He could die far from his family and without assistance,” lamented his relative.
Although he reports no physical abuse, the prison conditions are alarming.
The calls he makes to his family occur every three days, under strict supervision by prison authorities.
The Silence from Havana and Washington
Journalist Mario J. Pentón confirmed that neither the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nor the Cuban embassy in South Africa—responsible for Cuban citizens in Eswatini—responded to requests for information.
However, a U.S. government source revealed that Washington attempted to repatriate Font Agüero to Cuba multiple times, without success. The Cuban regime's refusal was steadfast.
The Department of State defended its decision to deport the Cuban to another country, placing the blame squarely on Havana.
“Enforcing U.S. law and immigration policy, including the deportation of those without legal grounds to stay in the United States, is vital for upholding the rule of law,” stated a Department spokesperson.
“Every country must accept the return of its citizens promptly... This policy also applies to Cuban nationals,” added the U.S. official.
In January, then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced this stance: “We are restoring a firm policy towards Cuba.”
"How Can He Lose His Nationality?"
In Cuba, Font Agüero's family turned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners. The response was unsettling: they were informed that he had lost his rights for living outside the country for more than 20 years.
However, official documentation tells a different story. Font Agüero was born in Cuba, holds an identity card, has a registered address, and a living mother on the island. He fled Cuba on a raft in 2003.
"How can he lose his nationality?” questioned Yessica.
The family sees this refusal as a grave violation of their loved one's basic rights.
“He has served his sentence [... ] If they want to bring him back as a prisoner, then do so, but bring him back. We are not asking for privileges. Just that he returns to his homeland. Cuba cannot turn its back on its own,” concluded the young woman in statements to the media.
Questions About the Deportation of Juan Carlos Font Agüero
Why was Juan Carlos Font Agüero deported to Eswatini?
Juan Carlos Font Agüero was deported to Eswatini because the Cuban government refused to accept his repatriation from the United States.
What are the conditions of Font Agüero's imprisonment in Eswatini?
Font Agüero is imprisoned without a formal sentence or release date, and he reports health issues without receiving adequate medical care.
How has the family responded to Font Agüero's deportation?
The family has reached out to Cuban authorities, questioning the loss of his nationality and pleading for his return, viewing the situation as a violation of his basic rights.