Cuban Men Sentenced To 28 Days’ Imprisonment For Illegal Landing. Court Hears That Men Came To Cayman To Find Work Opportunities.
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By Alric Lindsay
Today, June 17, 2025, Francisco Diaz and Marlon Hidalgo, Cuban nationals, appeared in the Summary Court to face allegations of illegal landing. After pleading guilty, the Chief Magistrate sentenced them to 28 days’ imprisonment. Following the completion of this time, it is understood they will be deported.
Background and sentencing
According to Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Customs & Border Control officers found the two men in the afternoon of June 9, 2025, near Calypso Grill in West Bay. Reportedly, they were both standing at the side of the road with personal bags. They appeared to be waiting for someone.
It is understood that, when asked, the men produced Cuban National ID cards.
They explained to CBC officers that they arrived on Grand Cayman on May 30 and were at sea for about eight days. They cooperated with authorities when arrested.
Regarding Diaz, who was previously deported from the Cayman Islands in 2022, he stated that he came to the Cayman Islands seeking employment.
The journey took them sailing past Little Cayman, where they crossed a reef. Reportedly, the vessel began to take on water and sank.
It was explained that while on Grand Cayman, the men slept in the bush and were assisted by a Cuban woman who provided them with a cell phone.
Reportedly, they were told to go to an area in West Bay where they would find other Cuban nationals. However, they were unable to find other fellow Cuban nationals in the area they were searching. In the circumstances, it was said that the men intended to turn themselves in to the Cayman authorities. However, they were apprehended before they could do so.
Adding colour to the men’s discovery, the CBC officer in court today revealed that five Cubans were known to have landed illegally. Diaz and Hidalgo were only two of them (it is assumed that Diaz and Hidalgo travelled separately from the other three men). Regarding the other three men, the CBC officer confirmed that they were sentenced to 28 days’ imprisonment by another magistrate yesterday, June 16, 2025.
Arguing on behalf of Diaz and Hidalgo, Defence Counsel Michael Jordon asked the court to consider that the men did not commit any offences (other than illegal landing) before they were discovered.
After considering statements from the DPP and Defence Counsels, the Chief Magistrate noted the danger of persons arriving in the Cayman Islands without the authorities being aware.
She said:
We don’t know under the circumstances they are here.
We don’t know what they’ve brought.
She emphasised that, given these serious concerns, illegal landing must be taken seriously.
While this could mean more prison time, the Chief Magistrate acknowledged that keeping the men in prison here would be a burden on the public purse (it is estimated that it costs upwards of $100,000 per annum to maintain a prisoner in the Cayman Islands).
After considering the balancing exercise, the Chief Magistrate sentenced both men to 28 days’ imprisonment. They will be deported afterwards. She also warned Diaz not to return, as this is his second deportation since 2022.
Note to readers
The reason that the men were not immediately deported is that CBC is waiting for permission from Cuban authorities to return them to Cuba. This process may take several weeks and is beyond CBC’s control.
