Federal officials are refusing to warn the public about the HIV status of a Cuban criminal and fake refugee citing his privacy rights, the Sun has learned.

The Canada Border Services Agency was alerted recently that Waldo Llano, 34, not only admitted having the AIDS virus, but also had a history as a male prostitute and may have had sex with many partners while living in Canada for 18 months.

Government officials have rejected suggestions by an informant that they should warn anyone who may have had sex with Llano to see a doctor because of privacy laws.

That refusal came despite the fact that Llano -- a repeat criminal who is wanted in Florida for parole violation -- used fake ID to enter Canada as a refugee in February, 2004.

"If your information is correct, I can't talk about him ... If a refugee is arrested, if they are in detention ... there is nothing I can divulge," spokesman Anna Pape said.

A source who requested anonymity told the Sun that Llano used a fake name -- Jorge Pena Lara -- to get into Canada and declared himself as a refugee from Cuba. In fact, Llano came to Canada from Miami, Fla., where he lived for at least 10 years.

Llano was fingerprinted and photographed at the Canadian border but officials did not check with the RCMP or the FBI, the source said, adding: "What kind of stupid system is this." The fake Lara was released and came to Toronto. Within months he had shacked up with a Toronto woman -- who does not understand the implications of HIV and may have slept with several other people, the source said.

And on one occasion, the source said, Llano bit a neighbour during a fight and drew blood. It isn't known if the neighbour is aware of Llano's HIV status.

"Apparently if you come here from Cuba and claim refugee status, you are golden, no matter what ... even if you're a bum and gave a fake name," the source said.

Florida records show an arrest warrant was issued for Llano Jan. 30, 2004 -- days before he came to Canada. Llano had skipped parole less than one year into a three-year community supervision sentence for two counts of aggravated assault relating to an attempt to run down cops during a car chase.

Miami-Dade County arrest records show he has a lengthy criminal record. His charge sheet starts in August, 1997, when he was charged with soliciting prostitution when he allegedly approached an undercover male cop and said "let's f...,"offering sex for $10.

Over the next four years he amassed charges of being drunk and disorderly, domestic battery and three separate counts of driving under the influence. The courts suspended his driver's licence on two occasions.

A source in Canada suggested that federal officials cannot extradite Llano to Cuba, nor can they arbitrarily extradite him to the U.S. Unless Florida demands his extradition, a costly and lengthy extradition hearing looms. One Florida police officer suggested to the Sun that Llano stay in Canada.

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