Seventeen Cubans were apprehended on March 21 in Crimea, a region of Ukraine overtaken by Russia in 2014 and currently under Russian control. The group was discovered in a rented house in Krasnodar when police officers arrived. Initially, they were confined by the authorities before being transported to a police station. There, they were identified, divided into two groups, and subsequently held in Russian deportation centers.
One of the detained individuals expressed to CiberCuba, "If they're going to deport us, they should do it now; that's what we want."
The men have been separated from the women, some of whom are their wives, and are being detained under such poor conditions that they reportedly haven't bathed for a week, "locked in a room without being allowed to go out." The men are permitted phone access for only one hour each day, while the women can connect between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
None of the 17 detained Cubans had proper documentation. They traveled from Havana to Moscow and then took a train to Crimea, hoping to find work. However, they were met with a harsh winter that prevented them from seeking employment.
The Russian police have released footage of the detention of these individuals. One of the detainees shared with CiberCuba that they were held at the Krasnodar police station from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on March 22. After that, they were taken back to their rental property to quickly bathe and eat within an hour. "That wasn't enough time for all 17 of us to shower and eat. We gathered what was necessary and were brought to the deportation center. The men haven't been able to bathe since," one detainee remarked.
"They haven't mistreated us, but they haven't provided any answers. If there's a deportation order and they intend to deport us, then they should do it. That's what we want. We weren't on the streets or working when they detained us. Since that moment, we've been locked in a room without food or the ability to bathe. The women and men are separated, but we can see each other through a grate. We haven't received any explanations. Some of us have been in Russia for a year, others for three months, and many of our permits expire today, March 29. Others expire on April 3. We entered as tourists and don't have the necessary paperwork," she explained via WhatsApp.
They came to Crimea to seek employment, a pursuit hindered by severe weather. "We told the police about the cold," she added.
Since December 2018, Cuban nationals have been able to travel to Russia without a visa, staying up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Russian authorities have increased immigration controls in the area, and the detained individuals could face bans from entering Russia for 5 to 10 years.
Consequences of Cuban Detention in Russia
What are the conditions like for the detained Cubans in Russia?
The detained Cubans are experiencing poor conditions, with the men having not bathed for a week and limited access to phones. They are separated from the women and held in cramped quarters.
Why were the Cubans in Crimea?
The Cubans traveled to Crimea in search of employment opportunities. However, harsh winter weather prevented them from finding work as they had hoped.
What are the potential consequences for the detained Cubans?
The detained Cubans face potential bans from entering Russia for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years due to immigration violations.