A flight arriving this Friday from Grand Cayman, part of the Cayman Islands, brought 12 migrants who had left Cuba illegally back to the island. Among those returned was an individual—apparently a woman—who was on probation for criminal penalties at the time of leaving Cuba.
The newspaper Granma reported that this individual will be presented before the appropriate courts for a potential revocation of her probation. With this operation, the number of deportations from various countries in the region in 2024 has reached 88, totaling 1,267 Cuban nationals who have been returned, their migration dreams dashed in the process.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, November 26, a group of 24 irregular migrants, including a woman, were deported to Cuba on a flight from the United States that landed at José Martí International Airport. A day prior, the U.S. Coast Guard had returned four more individuals through the port of Orozco, in Bahía Honda, Artemisa.
After being suspended in December 2020, deportation flights between the United States and Cuba resumed in April 2023, following negotiations addressing the migration crisis. Since the flights resumed, 936 Cubans have been deported from the United States in 20 flights.
The deportation of Cubans from Grand Cayman and other countries not only signifies the abrupt end of their migration aspirations but also returns them to a bleak reality in a nation mired in a severe economic crisis. For many of these migrants, being forced back means confronting once again the lack of opportunities and a system that fails to provide them with a dignified future.
This cycle of migration and return highlights the desperation of those willing to risk everything to escape a life devoid of hope, a stark reflection of the collapse of a system that can no longer sustain even the most basic dreams of its citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migrant Deportations
Why are Cuban migrants being deported from Grand Cayman?
Cuban migrants are deported from Grand Cayman because they have left Cuba illegally and do not have legal status in the Cayman Islands.
How many Cubans have been deported in 2024 so far?
As of now, 1,267 Cubans have been deported from various countries, including 936 from the United States.
What are the implications for Cubans deported back to their country?
Deported Cubans face a return to challenging conditions, including economic hardship and limited opportunities, as they are thrust back into an environment with little promise for improvement.