A young Cuban man was recently detained in the province of Villa Clara, accused of an alleged illegal exit from the country. Activist Félix Llerena made the accusation on social media, demanding the release of Walter Jesús Rodríguez, a young man he has known since childhood.
"I have known Walter Jesús Rodríguez since he was a child; his brother has been my friend since childhood," Llerena wrote on his Facebook profile. He further stated that Rodríguez is "being held by the State Security G2 in Santa Clara on suspicion of an alleged illegal exit. Walter is not a criminal and should not be there. I hold the Cuban regime responsible for whatever happens to Walter."
Rodríguez's arrest took place on a beach, where he was reportedly with others swimming, according to an audio clip accessed by CiberCuba. "They took him from the beach... They had no proof that they were involved in an illegal exit; there was no boat or raft involved," the audio states.
This is not an isolated incident. Despite Llerena's efforts to bring attention to the case, Cubans detained for similar reasons face significant challenges in defending their cases. In 2023, Luis Yoilán Puebla Polanco, a young man from Havana, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a failed attempt at leaving the country illegally from Villa Clara, in what his mother described as a corrupt trial.
Recently, several individuals were detained near Juan Francisco Beach in Camajuaní, Villa Clara, following a tip-off. The incident occurred when a group of local residents, mostly young men but also women and children, were preparing to leave Cuba illegally but were intercepted and arrested by the police.
A local resident explained to CiberCuba that the town was abuzz with rumors that someone overheard the group planning their illegal exit in a house's backyard and alerted the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), who then thwarted the operation.
Details on Recent Arrests for Illegal Exits in Cuba
This section addresses common questions and provides further insights into the recent arrests related to alleged illegal exits in Cuba.
Who is Walter Jesús Rodríguez?
Walter Jesús Rodríguez is a young Cuban man recently detained in Villa Clara on suspicion of an illegal exit from the country. Activist Félix Llerena has been vocal about his release, emphasizing Rodríguez's innocence.
What led to the arrest at Juan Francisco Beach?
Several individuals were detained near Juan Francisco Beach in Camajuaní after a local tip-off. The group, consisting of young men, women, and children, was planning to leave Cuba illegally but was intercepted by the police.
What are the challenges faced by Cubans detained for illegal exits?
Cubans detained for alleged illegal exits face significant difficulties in defending their cases, often dealing with corrupt trials and severe punishments, as highlighted by the case of Luis Yoilán Puebla Polanco, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.