During a recent session at the Palacio de Convenciones in Havana, a National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) deputy claimed that the U.S. embargo on Cuba is the primary cause of the island's ongoing migration crisis. "Emigration has always existed; it's normal and legitimate for people to seek a life project outside their country," said Yamila González Ferrer, a deputy representing the Mantua municipality in Pinar del Río, in front of both Miguel Díaz-Canel and ANPP President Esteban Lazo Hernández.
"However, in our case, we must keep in mind that the current increase in external migration is one of the most cruel and inhumane effects of the intensified blockade imposed by the United States on our people," the deputy remarked, overlooking the economic hardships and repression caused by her government's policies beyond U.S. sanctions.
Despite this, González Ferrer continued her speech, focusing on family separations and attributing the root cause to external factors rather than Cuba's living conditions. "Cuban families are resilient and find many ways to bridge the distances and stay united," she stated, seemingly confident in her coherent argument.
Conveniently, the deputy omitted that remittances from the Cuban diaspora play a crucial role in the island's economy. These money transfers not only support thousands of families but also serve as a significant source of foreign currency for the regime.
It is crucial to highlight that those who do not receive remittances are part of the alarming statistic that "7 out of 10 Cubans have stopped having breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages," as recently revealed in the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024 by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).
The same report emphasized that "89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty," a 1% increase from last year and a 13% rise from 2022. Against this backdrop, the deputy's comments came as the regime unanimously passed two controversial laws, raising concerns among Cubans living abroad.
The Citizenship Law is an unprecedented legislative measure in Cuba, aimed at developing constitutional principles related to citizenship, reflecting citizens' rights, and reinforcing state power. The other, the Foreigners Law, is said by regime spokespersons to complement immigration legislation, regulate the care, protection, and documentation of foreigners, and align their rights and duties with those of Cuban citizens, while also establishing procedures for their expulsion if necessary.
An independent demographic study accessed by Efe showed that Cuba's population plummeted by 18% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 8.62 million people. This estimate is based on the number of Cubans who arrived in the United States between October 2021 and April 2024, totaling 738,680 people, according to official U.S. statistics that include visas, paroles, and irregular arrivals.
The same source indicated that "from these figures, the total number of migrants can be extrapolated, considering the percentage of Cubans heading to the U.S. relative to the total number leaving for any destination, which the author estimates at 33% for 2022 and 2023 based on historical trends." This projection suggests a total migration number for 2022-2023 of 1.79 million people, an unprecedented figure in Cuban history.
Understanding the Cuban Migration Crisis
To provide further insight into the causes and impacts of the Cuban migration crisis, we have compiled a series of questions and answers based on the information discussed in this article.
What did the ANPP deputy claim as the main cause of Cuban migration?
The ANPP deputy, Yamila González Ferrer, claimed that the U.S. embargo on Cuba is the main cause of the current migration crisis.
What role do remittances play in the Cuban economy?
Remittances from the Cuban diaspora are crucial, as they support thousands of families and provide a significant source of foreign currency for the regime.
How has the population of Cuba changed between 2022 and 2023?
Cuba’s population declined by 18% between 2022 and 2023, dropping to 8.62 million people.