Popular MAGA activist detained by ICE, facing deportation



Héctor Luis Valdés Cocho, a Cuban independent journalist and activist known for his criticism of Cuba’s communist regime, faces potential deportation from the U.S. after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. His case has drawn attention due to his political activism, fraud allegations, and support for Donald Trump’s MAGA movement despite advocating for immigration leniency.

Valdés Cocho, born in 1991, gained recognition as one of Cuba’s most influential independent journalists, exposing government repression and human rights abuses. After facing harassment, interrogations, and acts of repudiation by Cuban authorities, he fled to the U.S. in 2022. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) previously granted him precautionary measures in 2021 due to risks of irreparable harm.

But Valdés Cocho wasn’t without criminal allegations. He was arrested in November 2024 in Florida for multiple fraud accusations, including financial scams and misusing funds intended for Cuban families. Victims allege he solicited money under false pretenses, such as fabricated health emergencies or activism projects.

He is currently held at the Broward Transitional Center, with ICE citing “outstanding warrants” and potential deportation under Trump-era policies targeting migrants.

Cuban authorities may refuse his return, which could lead to his transfer to Guantánamo Bay’s migrant facility.

Valdés Cocho’s vocal support for Trump’s MAGA movement sparked controversy, particularly among Cuban exiles. Social media posts and Reddit threads highlight his pro-Trump rallies and ironic predicament: a critic of authoritarianism now facing deportation under policies he endorsed. As a result, critics online mock his situation as a case of “leopards eating faces,” referencing his alignment with restrictive immigration measures.

His case underscores the complexities of U.S.-Cuba relations and the challenges faced by dissidents navigating asylum systems. While Valdés Cocho’s earlier work earned international praise, his legal issues have eroded support within the diaspora, with activists calling his actions “unethical” and damaging to human rights causes.

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