Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel responded with outrage on social media to recent statements by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio had blamed Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela for the migration crisis in the hemisphere, labeling their governments as "enemies of humanity." Díaz-Canel retorted, “The shamelessness once again overtakes the cynical politicians of the U.S. It is proven that the migratory exodus in #Cuba is proportional to the tightening of the #blockade, which deprives our people of essential goods. Humanity is at risk from your neofascism,” he wrote on his X account.
Appointed by Raúl Castro to lead the Cuban government, Díaz-Canel continued addressing the U.S. official: “Enemies of humanity are those who resist blockades without abandoning solidarity with other peoples, or those who enforce the #Blockade trampling international laws? The enemy of humanity is the empire with its expansionist appetite and futile pretense of ruling the world.”
Marco Rubio's Criticism of Cuban Migration Policies
On Tuesday, during a press conference in San José, Costa Rica, Rubio, who is of Cuban descent and a staunch critic of the Havana regime, stated that the Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Cuban regimes have triggered the mass exodus of citizens due to their ineffective political and economic systems.
“Those three regimes that exist: Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba are enemies of humanity and have created a migration crisis. If it weren’t for these three regimes, there would be no migration crisis in the hemisphere,” Rubio declared in the presence of Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves.
Escalating Cuban Migration Crisis
The exchange between the two politicians occurs as the Cuban migration crisis reaches record numbers. The Trump administration has commenced deportation processes for many irregular migrants. According to official U.S. data, since 2022, more than 850,000 Cubans have emigrated to the United States, representing roughly 18% of the island's population. This mass exodus even surpasses the 1990s balsero crisis.
Factors Contributing to the Cuban Exodus
The reasons behind this migration are multifaceted. The island is grappling with a severe economic crisis marked by chronic shortages of food, medicine, and other basic goods, coupled with rampant inflation. Additionally, the lack of opportunities, especially for the youth, and the increased repression following the July 2021 protests have deepened the sense of hopelessness among the population.
The journey to the United States is perilous and expensive. Many migrants choose to travel through Central America, taking advantage of Nicaragua's removal of the visa requirement for Cubans in November 2021. This route can cost between $8,000 and $10,000 per person and has resulted in numerous fatalities.
During the fiscal year 2021-2022, approximately 220,000 Cubans were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border, nearly six times more than the previous year. Various countries have responded with deportations. In 2024, over 1,300 irregular migrants were returned to Cuba, 978 of whom were sent back from the United States.
The situation at Mexico's southern border is also critical. Asylum offices are overwhelmed due to the influx of Cuban migrants and other nationalities, especially following Trump's new migration policies, which restrict migrant entry through the Mexican border.
Understanding the Cuban Migration Crisis
What factors are driving the Cuban migration crisis?
The Cuban migration crisis is driven by severe economic hardships, including shortages of basic goods, rampant inflation, and a lack of opportunities, particularly for youth. Increased repression following protests has also contributed to the exodus.
How has the U.S. responded to the Cuban migration crisis?
The U.S. has initiated deportation processes for many irregular migrants, with over 978 Cubans being returned from the United States in 2024 alone.
What are the costs and risks associated with migrating from Cuba to the U.S.?
Migrating from Cuba to the U.S. can cost between $8,000 and $10,000 per person and involves dangerous routes, often through Central America, leading to numerous fatalities.