On Saturday, three Cuban nationals—two men and a woman—were apprehended by officers from Mexico's National Institute of Migration (INM) during an inspection at the Teya bridge checkpoint along the Mérida-Cancún federal highway in Kanasín, Yucatán.
When asked for their documentation, the three migrants were unable to prove their legal status in Mexico. Consequently, they were taken to INM offices in Mérida to assess their situation and initiate the necessary procedures.
The operation involved personnel from the Secretary of the Navy through the Ninth Naval Zone, who provided security for the migration officials, alongside authorities from various levels of government.
This incident occurred just days after two Colombian nationals, aged 33 and 48, were intercepted at the same inspection point.
Intensified Cuban Migration in the Yucatán Peninsula
The incident is part of a week marked by significant Cuban migration activity in the Yucatán Peninsula. On August 20, the Navy rescued 16 Cuban rafters—12 adults and four minors—adrift northeast of Progreso within the jurisdiction of the same Ninth Naval Zone. Their vessel had left Pinar del Río on August 11 and had been missing for several days before being located.
The Teya bridge, situated on Federal Highway 180, is among the most active migration checkpoints in the state. The INM regularly operates here with the support of the Navy, the National Guard, and other federal and state agencies.
Yucatán: A Key Route for Cuban Migrants
Yucatán has emerged as a crucial corridor for irregular Cuban migration in Mexico, both by sea—rafters crossing the Yucatán Channel—and by land routes.
Recent incidents in the region are numerous. In March 2025, the Navy intercepted 14 Cuban migrants near Progreso, and two Mexican citizens were handed over to the Prosecutor's Office for alleged human trafficking. In May of the same year, eight Cuban rafters who had shipwrecked arrived in El Cuyo, Tizimín, and were handed over to the INM in Mérida.
Regionally, the flow of Cuban migrants to Mexico has intensified in 2025 and 2026, exacerbated by deportations from the United States. According to a Human Rights Watch report published in May 2026, Washington deported 4,353 Cubans to Mexico between January 2025 and March 2026, making them the most numerous nationality among those deported to third countries, out of a total of 12,977 cases recorded in that period.
Understanding Cuban Migration Patterns
Why are Cuban migrants using Yucatán as a route?
Yucatán serves as a strategic entry point for Cuban migrants due to its proximity to Cuba via the Yucatán Channel and established land routes within Mexico.
What role does the Ninth Naval Zone play in migration control?
The Ninth Naval Zone provides security and operational support to migration authorities, ensuring effective management of migration checkpoints in Yucatán.
How have U.S. deportations affected Cuban migration in Mexico?
Increased U.S. deportations have intensified Cuban migration flows to Mexico, as many deported Cubans seek to re-enter the United States or find refuge in Mexico.