The number of Cuban refugees seeking asylum in Brazil has surged dramatically in 2025, highlighting the worsening economic and social crisis in Cuba alongside the deteriorating living conditions under the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
According to official statistics reported by the Cuba Study Group, between January and September of this year, 30,731 Cubans have filed for asylum in Brazilian territory.
This figure is alarming when compared to the cumulative total of 52,373 applications recorded from 2010 to 2024, demonstrating an unprecedented increase over the past three years.
While Brazilian authorities suggest that the rise could indicate greater openness, they clarify that Cubans do not benefit from any special protection status. Each application is assessed individually by the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE).
By the end of September 2025, 17,818 Cubans were living legally in Brazil, with the majority gaining residency through family reunification processes. Notably, 79% secured residency thanks to connections with family members who had already regularized their status in the country.
Historically, Brazil has not been a primary destination for Cuban migrants, who have traditionally favored the United States, Mexico, or Spain. However, recent statistics indicate a shift in this trend.
In 2021, only 0.4% of Cuban emigrants chose Brazil as their destination; by 2024, that proportion had risen to 9.1%. Preliminary data from 2025 confirms that this migratory flow continues to grow.
Analysts suggest that this shift is also linked to the stricter immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump, which have restricted irregular routes and tightened asylum requirements at the U.S. southern border. Faced with these challenges, many Cubans are exploring alternatives in South America, with Brazil becoming a more accessible option.
The phenomenon also underscores the desperation of thousands of families fleeing the collapse of the Cuban system, marked by blackouts, inflation, and political repression, in search of freedom and a dignified future away from the island.
Understanding the Cuban Migration to Brazil
Why are more Cubans seeking asylum in Brazil in 2025?
The increase in Cuban asylum seekers in Brazil in 2025 is largely due to the worsening economic and social crisis in Cuba, coupled with stricter U.S. immigration policies that have made traditional routes less accessible.
How does Brazil handle Cuban asylum applications?
Brazilian authorities assess each Cuban asylum application individually through the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), as Cubans do not receive any special protection status.
What factors are influencing Cubans to choose Brazil over other countries?
Cubans are increasingly opting for Brazil due to the stricter immigration policies in the United States, making South America a more viable alternative, coupled with Brazil's somewhat open approach to asylum seekers.