Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the arrest of Adys Lastres Morera, sister of a sanctioned Cuban military official, after he revoked her green card status. Lastres Morera was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida and faces deportation proceedings. Rubio determined her presence in the United States posed a threat to American foreign policy interests due to alleged connections to Cuba’s military-controlled business conglomerate, GAESA. Lastres Morera had entered the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident in January 2023 during the Biden administration.
She was accused of managing real estate assets in Florida while aiding the Cuban regime. Rubio personally revoked her green card and announced the decision in a formal statement. “For far too long, the family members of terrorist organizations, repressive anti-American regimes, and other bad actors who would threaten the national security of the United States have been given a free pass to enjoy the privileges of living in the United States,” Rubio said. He criticized previous administrations for permitting family members of Cuban and Iranian officials to maintain U.S. residency.
Rubio’s Statement on Regime Family Members
“Under President Trump, we are removing from our country the family members of IRGC terrorists and Cuban regime elites,” Rubio stated. “If you threaten the national security of the United States, there will be nowhere on this earth – much less in our country – that you and your cronies can live lavishly,” he added. “We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.” ICE Homeland Security Investigations determined Lastres Morera’s presence in the U.S. undermined American foreign policy interests.
The determination made her removable under section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. “Adys Lastres Morera’s presence in the United States has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for our nation,” ICE acting Executive Associate Director John Condon said. “Allowing Lastres Morera to remain in the country would send a signal that Cuban regime-affiliated networks could continue to access the U.S.’s financial, educational and social institutions.”
GAESA’s Role in Cuban Economy
Lastres Morera’s sister, Ania Guillermina Lastres, serves as president of GAESA, which controls approximately 70 percent of Cuba’s economy. The conglomerate is believed to hold roughly $20 billion in illicit funds in overseas accounts. GAESA operates Cuba’s tourism industry, remittance operations, and physician export program on behalf of the Castro regime. These sectors represent critical revenue sources for the Cuban government, according to ICE officials.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital Team contributed to this report.
