Requests for asylum from Cuban citizens in Spain have surged by over half compared to the previous year; however, the administration has approved very few applications. A report from the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) reveals that in 2023, there were 3,082 applications from Cuban migrants, compared to 1,392 in 2022.
The data shows a 54% increase from the previous year, propelling Cuba from the tenth to the fifth spot on the list of countries seeking protection. "This reflects the political and humanitarian crisis facing the country," CEAR stated in its report.
Despite this rise, only 1,157 applications have been reviewed, with a mere 30 granted refugee status. The remaining 1,127 received no protection: 777 were denied, and 350 were filed away. "These figures represent a protection rate of 3.7%, one of the lowest recorded," the report warned. There are still 1,925 pending cases for Cubans.
The top four countries ahead of Cuba in terms of the number of applications are Venezuela (first place for the eighth consecutive year), Colombia, Peru, and Honduras. Venezuela has a total of 60,534 applicants, a 32% increase from the previous year. However, Spain's treatment of Venezuelan applicants has been markedly different from that of Cubans.
So far, 41,051 Venezuelan cases have been resolved (more than half of those submitted), with 40,708 receiving positive responses. Only 124 were denied, and 219 were filed away. "We positively value the corrected restrictive trend toward recognizing humanitarian reasons for Venezuelan applicants, which we noted in our previous report, rising from 65% in 2022 to 99% in 2023," CEAR noted.
Cubans face more obstacles in obtaining any form of international protection compared to other migrants. The Spanish government claims that Cubans migrate for economic reasons, not acknowledging the Cuban regime as a dictatorship or a nation in crisis.
Understanding the Surge in Cuban Asylum Requests in Spain
This section addresses common questions about the increase in Cuban asylum requests in Spain and the challenges faced by applicants.
Why have asylum requests from Cuban citizens increased in Spain?
The increase in asylum requests from Cuban citizens is attributed to the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Cuba, pushing more individuals to seek refuge in Spain.
How many Cuban asylum requests were approved in 2023?
Out of 1,157 reviewed applications, only 30 Cuban asylum requests were granted refugee status in 2023.
How does Spain's treatment of Cuban asylum seekers compare to that of Venezuelans?
Spain has shown more leniency towards Venezuelan asylum seekers, with a significantly higher approval rate of 99% compared to the 3.7% for Cubans.