Leandro René Hernández Ibarra, a young Cuban activist, has taken to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to report that he is currently stuck at Lima's Jorge Chávez Airport in Peru. This situation arose after Nicaragua's government denied him entry, an action he believes highlights "the reach of the Cuban regime."
“As a Cuban youth who has openly opposed the policies of the regime controlling my country, I've always faced issues with State Security. Now, I'm stranded at Lima's airport because the regime's influence extends even to Managua, its ally. I'm in a migratory limbo, unable to leave Lima or enter Managua. I wasn't allowed to board a flight to El Salvador with Avianca Airlines for a necessary layover before reaching Managua. This video is to show Latin America how far the claws of Cuban communism extend,” Hernández Ibarra declared in a video shared on X.
Currently, Hernández Ibarra remains stranded in Lima's airport, caught in a migratory standstill after 48 hours without a resolution. "Yesterday, we found a ticket to Guyana with several stops, but Avianca Airlines informed me that there's a 24-hour limit for international layovers, and I've been here for 48 hours, which prevents me from boarding," he explained. Faced with this predicament, he approached migration authorities, presenting evidence of hotel reservations, paid tickets, and the email from Nicaragua denying him entry, along with his inability to return to Cuba. After 48 hours in the Duty-Free zone, he decided to seek political asylum.
Subsequently, he clarified on X that he awaits the arrival of Foreign Relations officials tasked with processing his asylum request. "In the meantime, I must continue wandering around the airport's Duty-Free area," he remarked.
Back in March 2022, Hernández Ibarra publicly denounced threats from State Security following an interrogation he attended. He shared a video on X recounting how political police threatened him, even involving his family. His interrogators questioned whether he had a new girlfriend, aware that his previous relationship ended after his girlfriend was threatened with expulsion from her school. They also criticized him for not being the son his father, a staunch supporter of the revolution, "deserves."
In response, Hernández Ibarra took to social media, reaffirming his opposition to Díaz-Canel's regime and sharing the summons he received from State Security. His detractors dismissed his stance as a mere quest for fame.
In June 2022, Cuban authorities fined Hernández Ibarra 3,000 pesos as retaliation for a post mocking and labeling Nicolás Maduro and Miguel Díaz-Canel as dictators. He now faces the repercussions of State Security's actions, which he holds responsible for his blocked entry to Nicaragua.
Key Questions on the Cuban Activist's Predicament
Why was Leandro René Hernández Ibarra denied entry to Nicaragua?
Hernández Ibarra's entry was denied due to the influence of the Cuban regime, which he believes extends its control to Nicaragua, a close ally.
What actions has Hernández Ibarra taken in response to his situation in Lima?
Hernández Ibarra has sought political asylum and is waiting for Foreign Relations officials to process his request while remaining at the airport.
How has the Cuban regime impacted Hernández Ibarra in the past?
The Cuban regime has previously threatened and fined Hernández Ibarra, targeting his personal life and imposing penalties for his outspoken criticism.