A Cuban living in Boa Vista, Brazil, recently shared a TikTok video highlighting the free meals provided to immigrants at a local shelter, capturing the attention of thousands of Cubans abroad.
The video, uploaded on Monday by @georgeyemaya, showcases the lunch and dinner options available at the aid center: juice, dessert, beef, and other dishes, all at no charge and with the option to have seconds.
"Hello everyone, as you can see in the video, I'm showing you the meals that Brazil offers to all immigrants. I highly recommend it because it’s completely free. You can have lunch and even go for seconds. They serve juice, dessert, and the food is very good, beef and everything, folks, I recommend it so you don't have to spend a single penny," stated the creator in the 29-second clip.
Humanitarian Efforts in Boa Vista
The shelter featured in the video is part of Boa Vista's humanitarian network, which includes Operação Acolhida—a federal Brazilian government initiative launched in 2018—alongside organizations like Caritas, UNHCR, IOM, and the Jesuit Migrant and Refugee Service.
These centers provide three daily meals to vulnerable migrants and refugees. The "Sumaúma: Nourishing Lives" project, operated at Boa Vista's Reception and Support Site, distributes over 2,000 meals daily and has served more than 600,000 meals to over 17,000 individuals.
Cuban Migration Trends
Initially designed to handle Venezuelan migration, the facilities now see a surge in Cuban asylum applications, surpassing Venezuelan requests for the first time in a decade by 2026.
In just the first four months of this year, 13,414 Cubans applied for asylum in Brazil, accounting for 58% of the national total during that period, according to the International Migration Observatory (OBMigra).
Boa Vista emerged as a primary entry point for Cubans traveling via Guyana—a country that does not require a visa for Cuban citizens—then crossing into Roraima.
Challenges on the Journey
The journey to Brazil is fraught with danger. Last June, the Federal Police rescued 39 Cubans, victims of a trafficking network in Roraima, who had gone three days without food. Some migrants pay traffickers up to $10,000 for the entire journey, as reported by G1.
Once in Brazil, asylum seekers receive a protocol from the Federal Police that allows them to work formally and access public healthcare, education, and tax registration while the National Committee for Refugees (Conare) processes their cases, which can take years.
@georgeyemaya's video is part of a growing trend where Cubans use social media to document resources available along their migration path, serving as a practical guide for fellow compatriots. The post garnered over 34,000 views in less than 48 hours.
Key Questions About Cuban Migration to Brazil
What services does the Boa Vista shelter provide to immigrants?
The Boa Vista shelter offers three daily meals, including options like juice, dessert, and beef, at no cost to immigrants. It is part of a larger humanitarian effort that includes organizations like Caritas and UNHCR.
How has Cuban migration to Brazil changed recently?
Cuban asylum requests in Brazil have overtaken those from Venezuelans, with Cubans leading applications for the first time in a decade. In the first four months of the year, Cubans accounted for 58% of asylum applications in the country.