A tragic road accident in the state of Roraima, Brazil, has resulted in the deaths of two Cuban nationals attempting to enter the country, with seven others suffering injuries, as reported by local authorities.
The heartbreaking incident took place on Monday afternoon in the Bonfim municipality amidst a high-speed police chase, involving a vehicle transporting nine Cuban migrants towards Boa Vista, according to a statement from the Federal Highway Police (PRF).
The crash claimed the lives of two Cubans, aged 16 and 26, while seven others sustained serious injuries, including two young children aged three and eight; another individual suffered minor injuries.
The identities of those killed or injured have not been disclosed by authorities. However, digital news outlet elToque has reported that the deceased were a woman and a teenager.
During an inspection on BR 401 in Bonfim, Federal Highway Police officers identified a GM Prisma carrying 10 individuals, including nine Cubans and a Brazilian, en route to Boa Vista.
Authorities highlighted that the Cuban migrants were attempting to cross into Brazil illegally through the northern state of Roraima, which borders Guyana.
Upon noticing the police presence, the Brazilian driver attempted to flee by making a sharp turn and speeding back towards Bonfim on the same highway.
In the course of the pursuit, the driver executed hazardous maneuvers such as illegal overtaking and driving on the shoulder, eventually veering onto a dirt road where the vehicle overturned.
The PRF patrol arrived to find the car had flipped over, with two of the Cuban passengers deceased at the scene, while others were injured.
Emergency services, including SAMU (Mobile Emergency Care Service), firefighters, the Institute of Forensic Sciences, and the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML), responded to the site to rescue the injured and recover the bodies, according to the official report.
Following the investigation, the PRF charged the driver with "facilitating illegal entry into national territory for financial gain, vehicular manslaughter, and aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm."
The Federal Highway Police forwarded the incident report to the Federal Police for further judicial proceedings.
One of the passengers disclosed to the PRF that each Cuban had paid $500 to enter Brazil illegally from Guyana.
This migration route has become increasingly popular among Cubans amid a massive exodus over the past five years, as many flee the island's severe economic and social crises in search of better opportunities.
In 2025 alone, there was a notable rise in Cubans seeking asylum in Brazil, with 30,731 applications filed between January and September, a staggering increase compared to the 52,373 requests from 2010 to 2024. This surge underscores the worsening crisis in Cuba and the deteriorating living conditions under Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime.
Fleeing from scarcity and the lack of freedom on the island, Cuban migrants face numerous dangers on irregular migration paths, risking their lives crossing borders illegally, entangled in human trafficking networks, and enduring unsafe travel conditions that can lead to deadly accidents.
Earlier this year, in March, a collision between two vehicles in the Brazilian state of Amapá resulted in the deaths of three Cuban migrants, including a four-month-old infant.
FAQs on Cuban Migration to Brazil
Why are Cuban migrants choosing Brazil as a destination?
Many Cubans are seeking asylum in Brazil due to severe economic and social crises in Cuba, hoping for better opportunities and living conditions.
What are the dangers faced by Cuban migrants on their journey to Brazil?
Cuban migrants face hazards such as illegal border crossings, human trafficking networks, and unsafe travel conditions, which can result in fatal accidents.
What were the charges against the driver involved in the accident?
The driver was charged with promoting illegal entry for financial gain, vehicular manslaughter, and aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm.