Two Cuban nationals were discovered severely beaten near the border between Belarus and Latvia after alleging they were assaulted by Latvian officers before being expelled to Belarusian territory. This information was reported by the state media sb.by and corroborated by the Reformation portal with details from the Belarusian State Border Committee and the Investigation Committee.
On November 17, border guards from the Polotsk Detachment encountered a man and a woman in shock, displaying clear signs of violence near a Latvian border facility.
The migrants claimed that upon illegally entering the country, Latvian officers detained and brutally assaulted them with rubber batons and stun guns before forcing them through an "animal gate" back into Belarus.
According to the Belarusian Investigation Committee, the 28-year-old man explained that he and an acquaintance were attempting to reach Spain when they were intercepted in Latvia.
Once detained, they were brought before an alleged "commander" who reportedly stated he "didn't want to see people like them in Latvia," preceding the violent assault.
The migrant recounted being handcuffed and defenseless while being repeatedly beaten with batons and stun weapons. When the woman tried to intervene, she too was attacked. Subsequently, the two Cubans were placed in a van and transported back to the border for expulsion to Belarus.
Severe Injuries and Hospitalization
According to sb.by, Belarusian border guards provided initial medical aid, called for an ambulance, and informed investigators.
Doctors diagnosed both Cubans with hypothermia, abrasions, and bruises, noting that the man's condition was more critical as he showed signs of a traumatic brain injury. They were both taken to the Braslav District Central Hospital.
This incident occurs amid a rise in illegal crossing attempts in the region and follows another episode involving a Cuban national at the Latvian border weeks earlier.
Another Cuban Detained Weeks Earlier at Russian-Latvian Border
On October 9, Latvian Public Media (LSM) and the State Border Guard of Latvia reported the detention of a Cuban national after illegally crossing the border from the Russian side in the municipality of Viļaka.
The young man reportedly bent the border fence from below to enter Latvia, where he was arrested and faced criminal charges for illegal crossing, along with administrative penalties for violating border zone regulations.
This case marked the second irregular crossing from Russia into Latvia within a week, according to Latvian authorities.
Desperate Migration Through an Increasingly Dangerous Corridor
The presence of Cubans at the border strip between Russia, Latvia, and Belarus highlights an uncommon yet increasingly frequented route by migrants seeking to reach the European Union, amidst tightening migration policies and controls on traditional pathways.
The situation of the two beaten Cubans, still under medical care, underscores the escalating level of risk, violence, and vulnerability faced by migrants in this region.
Key Issues in the Latvia-Belarus Border Conflict
What happened to the Cuban nationals at the Latvia-Belarus border?
Two Cuban nationals were reportedly beaten by Latvian officers near the Latvia-Belarus border before being expelled to Belarus. They were found in shock with visible injuries.
How were the injuries of the Cuban migrants treated?
Belarusian border guards provided initial medical assistance, and the migrants were diagnosed with hypothermia, abrasions, and bruises. They were hospitalized, with the man also suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
What does the increase in illegal crossings imply for the region?
The rising number of illegal crossings in the Latvia-Belarus region indicates a shift towards less traditional and riskier routes as migrants try to enter the European Union amid stricter migration controls.