Eduardo Enríquez Blanco, known for his involvement in suppressing the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba, has been discovered residing in the United States. This revelation comes from the independent outlet Cubanet, based on information provided by an acquaintance of Enríquez Blanco. Confirmation was obtained through his social media profiles, which feature at least two videos shot in Miami, indicating it as his current residence.
Further details emerged when journalist Mario J. Pentón reported in Martí Noticias that Enríquez Blanco arrived at the U.S. southern border in February 2023, entering the country as a "refugee." Previously an engineer at DATYS, a company linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) focused on technology and systems development, Enríquez Blanco gained notoriety in Cuban state media in 2021. During an interview, he claimed involvement in quelling the July 11 protests, during which he was allegedly "injured."
In his state media appearance, Enríquez Blanco recounted his actions following Miguel Díaz-Canel's call to "defend the revolution." He stated, "No one called me, no one told me I had to go to the streets." Portraying himself as a victim, Enríquez Blanco aligned with the regime's narrative that labeled protesters as "criminals." He described being attacked with stones and bottles by demonstrators as he stood with police: "They started saying things to us and especially challenging that group of law enforcement that was there at the time."
He further detailed, "The police began advancing, trying to disperse the crowd, and that's when I got hurt, first with a stone to my thigh, then cut by a bottle on my back, and here on my leg, I have a seven-point injury." However, the source who confirmed his presence in Miami told Cubanet that months before 11J, Enríquez Blanco was part of an animal rights group protesting for an animal protection law in Cuba. "I was surprised to see him on national TV defending the regime and, worse, supporting the 11J repression; it made me question whether he was truly committed to the animal rights cause or infiltrating, especially since he worked for MININT," the source stated.
Details on how Enríquez Blanco managed to leave Cuba remain unclear, and his social media profile has since been deleted. This year, the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) has updated its "Cuban Repressors" project, adding new individuals to the list of those involved in severe human rights violations on the island, some of whom are now in the U.S. or en route.
As of August 2024, the list expanded from 115 to 135 repressors who have entered the U.S. through various means. Since its inception in 2017, FHRC has identified approximately 1,130 repressors up to February 2025. The organization warns that these individuals pose a threat to the U.S., as most are linked to the repressive and military apparatus of the Cuban dictatorship.
Furthermore, according to FHRC, many of these repressors have entered the U.S. by providing false statements to immigration authorities, which, aside from being a federal crime, undermines the justice system's integrity and the protection of fundamental rights.
Key Insights on Cuban Repressors in the U.S.
Who is Eduardo Enríquez Blanco?
Eduardo Enríquez Blanco is a former engineer at DATYS, linked to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, known for his role in suppressing the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba.
How did Enríquez Blanco enter the United States?
Enríquez Blanco reportedly arrived at the U.S. southern border in February 2023 and was accepted into the country as a "refugee."
What is the "Cuban Repressors" project?
The "Cuban Repressors" project, managed by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, tracks individuals involved in severe human rights violations in Cuba, some of whom have relocated to the U.S.