Full Breakdown
Hunger Strike of Cuban Deportee Highlights Controversial U.S. Immigration Policy
10/25/2025, 5:28:14 AM
Background on Deportation to Eswatini
Roberto Mosquera del Peral, a 58-year-old Cuban national, was among the first group of deportees sent to Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, under a controversial third-country deportation program initiated by the Trump administration. This program involves transferring individuals to African nations under undisclosed agreements, with Eswatini agreeing to accept up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million to enhance its border and migration management capabilities. Mosquera and four other men were deported in July 2025, while ten additional deportees arrived in October.
Current Situation and Hunger Strike
Mosquera has been held at the Matsapha Correctional Centre in Eswatini for over three months without charge or access to legal counsel. His lawyer, Alma David, reported that he began a hunger strike on October 15, 2025, to protest his detention, which she describes as arbitrary and life-threatening. David emphasized the lack of legal basis for his continued imprisonment, stating, “My client is arbitrarily detained, and now his life is on the line.” Reports indicate that Mosquera's health has deteriorated due to the hunger strike, raising concerns among human rights advocates.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the deportation program, arguing it violates international human rights norms. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, called for immediate medical assessments for Mosquera and other detainees, as well as transparency regarding the legal grounds for their detention. Chagutah stated, “No one should be transferred to a country where they are at real risk of serious human rights violations.”
Critics have pointed out that the deportees, including Mosquera, have completed their sentences in the U.S. and should not be subjected to further detention. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has claimed that the deportees were convicted criminals, including charges of homicide and aggravated assault; however, Mosquera's lawyer disputes this, asserting he was convicted of attempted murder and had served his time.
Official Responses and Conditions of Detention
The Eswatini government has characterized Mosquera's hunger strike as a religious practice, stating he is “fasting and praying” due to missing his family. However, David refuted this characterization, asserting that it is an act of desperation and protest against his unlawful detention. Reports indicate that detainees have limited communication with their families and are monitored during calls, further complicating their legal representation.
Broader Implications and Future Actions
The situation of Mosquera and other deportees raises significant questions about the legality and ethics of U.S. deportation practices involving third-party nations. Legal experts warn that such arrangements could violate international humanitarian laws, including the Convention Against Torture. As of now, Mosquera remains in detention, with no clear indication from authorities regarding the review of his case or the conditions of his imprisonment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My client is arbitrarily detained, and now his life is on the line.” — Alma David, U.S.-based attorney for Roberto Mosquera del Peral
- “Roberto Mosquera del Peral’s hunger strike is a stark warning about the human cost of secret transfer arrangements and unlawful detention without due process.” — Tigere Chagutah, Regional Director, Amnesty International
The ongoing hunger strike and the conditions faced by Mosquera and his fellow deportees underscore the urgent need for accountability and transparency in U.S. immigration policies and their implementation abroad.
