WASHINGTON — April 18, 2025 —
In a surprising turn of events, a former Cuban State Security officer’s return to Cuba is drawing attention.Eduardo Velázquez Infante’s decision to return comes as the U.S. government intensifies its examination of former Cuban officials who have entered the country. The case highlights concerns about those who may have benefited from programs designed to protect others. the scrutiny follows a history of the officer’s alleged role in surveillance and repression. Further developments are expected regarding this unfolding situation.
Cuban Ex-Security Officer Returns Home Amid U.S. Scrutiny
In a surprising turn of events, a former Cuban State Security officer, Eduardo Velázquez Infante, has returned to Cuba after residing in the United states since March 2023. His decision comes amid increased scrutiny of former Cuban officials living in the U.S., notably those who entered under humanitarian or family reunification programs.
The “Major eduardo” Case
Eduardo Velázquez Infante, known among cuban dissidents as Major Eduardo,
previously served in the Ministry of Interior (Minint) in Las Tunas province. The Facebook page “La scissors,” which focuses on exposing abuses linked to the Cuban regime, first shared the details about his return.
Did You Know?
The Defense Committees of the Revolution (CDR) were established in Cuba to monitor and report on counter-revolutionary activities. they played a meaningful role in the Cuban government’s surveillance apparatus.
According to “La scissors,” Velázquez Infante, 59, arrived in the U.S. on March 20, 2023, through Miami International Airport and then traveled to Arizona. He reportedly entered the country via a humanitarian parole program, facilitated by his sister, who “La scissors” also accuses of being an accomplice to Castroism for enabling a repressor’s entry into the U.S.
A History of repression
Before his arrival in the U.S., Velázquez Infante began his career as an official with the Defense Committees of the Revolution (CDR) in amancio Rodríguez, formerly Central Francisco. Around 1991, he joined Minint as an operational officer in the State Security confrontation unit in Las Tunas.
Residents and Cuban exiles remember him for his involvement in the surveillance, harassment, and repression of activists, opponents, and citizens critical of the Cuban system. His actions are said to symbolize the control and intimidation exerted by the Cuban regime’s intelligence apparatus in the eastern provinces of the country.
Voluntary Return and Policy Context
Velázquez Infante’s voluntary return to Cuba, without a public deportation order, occurs as the U.S. government intensifies its examination of former Cuban officials who have entered the country under humanitarian or family reunification programs. This scrutiny has been heightened following the hardening of migration policies.
Pro Tip:
individuals seeking asylum or humanitarian parole in the U.S. must demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home country. U.S.authorities carefully vet applicants to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
His case has reignited the debate about how some individuals with ties to the Cuban regime have managed to settle in the U.S.,benefiting from policies intended to protect those persecuted by political regimes,not their agents.
The Debate Reopened
The case of Velázquez Infante has reopened the debate on how some repressors and former officials of Castroism have managed to settle in the U.S., benefiting from policies created to protect persecuted politicians, not their persecutors.
