A group of 117 Cuban migrants were sent back to Cuba from the United States on a flight that landed this Thursday at Havana's José Martí International Airport.
According to information shared on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the group was comprised of 89 men and 28 women.
The regime's authorities stated that the flight was part of the ongoing migration agreements between the two countries. They also noted that three of those deported were handed over to investigative bodies due to their alleged involvement in criminal activities prior to leaving the country.
With this latest operation, the total number of Cuban migrants deported back to the island in 2026 has reached 427, distributed over nine flights from various countries in the region.
MININT reiterated its advice to travel in a regular, safe, and orderly manner, highlighting the dangers associated with irregular migration.
A Year of Deportations
The first deportation flight of 2026 took place on February 9, when 170 Cuban migrants were returned to the island from the United States, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior through their official channels.
This flight was notably the first to include individuals with convictions for serious offenses such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking, according to U.S. government information.
Later, on February 19, a second flight brought back 116 Cuban migrants, bringing the total for those initial operations to 286.
Another flight on March 19 returned 117 Cuban migrants to the island, raising the number deported from the United States in 2026 to 403, based on confirmed official reports.
In this instance, the MININT report confirms that three deportees were transferred to investigative bodies for their alleged involvement in criminal activities before leaving Cuba, although the specific nature and severity of these crimes were not detailed.
This would be the second flight of the year—and historically—to include such cases if these crimes are indeed severe.
Migration Figures from 2025
Nonetheless, authorities have disclosed that the total number of people returned to Cuba in 2026 stands at 427 across nine operations from different countries, indicating that some of these cases involve returns from other regional nations not publicly detailed.
Looking back at the end of 2025, on December 18, 128 migrants were deported (106 men, 21 women, and one minor).
Prior to that, a flight on November 20 carried 139 deportees, while another on November 6 included 232, marking the largest operation since the resumption of ICE flights in 2023.
These three flights alone accounted for 499 deportations.
After the December 18 flight, the official count under the current U.S. administration rose to 4,883 Cuban migrants deported in 12 coordinated flights with Havana.
Additionally, a December statement mentioned the planned return of six more migrants intercepted at sea, which would have increased the annual total for 2025 to 1,669. However, it was not confirmed at the time whether this return occurred, leaving these six cases pending public verification.
Understanding Cuban Migrant Deportations
What are the main reasons for Cuban migrants being deported from the U.S.?
Cuban migrants are often deported from the U.S. due to violations of immigration laws, involvement in criminal activities, or failure to meet asylum requirements.
How many Cuban migrants have been deported to Cuba in 2026?
As of now, 427 Cuban migrants have been deported back to Cuba in 2026 through nine flights from various countries.
What are the risks associated with irregular migration as highlighted by MININT?
MININT warns that irregular migration can lead to dangerous journeys, exploitation, and the possibility of deportation, urging migrants to travel in a regular, safe, and orderly manner.