Doctor Alina Rosales Aguirreurreta arrived in the U.S. in 2023 and was attempting to obtain residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act
14ymedio, Madrid, May 27, 2026 — Alina Rosales Aguirreurreta, daughter of Cuban general Ulises Rosales del Toro, has been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), according to reports first published Tuesday by the Miami press and as can be verified in the agency’s records, which however do not indicate the facility where she is being held.
So far, no further details about the arrest have emerged. It is known that Rosales, 51 years old and a physician by profession, specializing in plastic surgery and burn treatment (reconstruction of burned tissue), arrived in the U.S. in 2023 on a tourist visa and decided to remain in the country. According to journalist Mario Pentón, the doctor attempted to apply for residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act, but “did not have the opportunity,” he said without clarifying the reasons.
Ulises Rosales del Toro, 84, is a historic figure of the Revolution, in which he participated alongside Fidel Castro. Beginning in 1959, he held high-ranking positions in the Armed Forces and in the leadership of the Communist Party, in addition to holding the honorary title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba.
Since then he has lived away from the public spotlight, although the Florida press has continued scrutinizing the lives of his children, some of whom live outside the Island or have businesses there
Between 1997 and 2009 he served as Minister of Sugar, and from 2008 to 2010 has Minister of Agriculture. In 2009, he was also was appointed Vice President of the Council of Ministers, a position from which he was removed in September 2019. Since then he has lived away from the public spotlight, although the Florida press has continued scrutinizing the lives of his children, some of whom live outside the Island or have businesses there.
Rosales’s case comes days after ICE also detained Adys Lastres Morera, sister of the president of the military conglomerate Gaesa, Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, sanctioned by the U.S. on May 1, the same day the extension of measures against individuals or companies associated with Cuba and “responsible for repression in Cuba and threats to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” was announced.
On that occasion, Marco Rubio said that “Morera was managing real estate assets and living in Florida, while also helping the communist regime in Havana,” without further explanation. The U.S. secretary of state personally claimed responsibility for the cancellation of “her permanent resident status” from his official X account.
Rubio added that Lastres Morera had been arrested on May 20 and placed in ICE custody. “There will be no place on this Earth — much less in our country — where foreigners who threaten our national security can live luxuriously,” he declared.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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