A total of 575 Cubans crossed the Darién jungle during the first eight months of the year, a figure that confirms a decline compared to recent years. Official data from Panama's migration authorities reveal that Cuba ranks 17th on the list of countries whose citizens traverse the dangerous Darién Gap in their journey to the United States.
January was the month in 2024 when the most Cubans crossed the inhospitable strip between Colombia and Panama: 108 in total. From then on, the number gradually decreased (with the exception of April, which saw 78), and by August, the number had dropped to 50.
According to the Panamanian National Migration Service (SNM), from January to September 9, approximately 244,243 people transited through the Darién jungle, the majority originating from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China.
The number of Cuban migrants through the jungle has been decreasing since 2023, when 1,124 were reported, significantly fewer than the 5,530 who did so in 2022. That year, Cuba ranked fourth among the countries sending migrants to the area.
Cubans are attempting to reach the United States through less risky routes, especially since the Nicaraguan government eliminated the visa requirement for entry into their territory; from there, they travel north to reach Mexico.
From January to July of this year, more than 9,000 Cubans sought asylum in Mexico, keeping the island in second place among countries sending migrants, surpassed only by Honduras.
Specifically, 9,914 Cubans in irregular situations requested protection from Mexican authorities on their journey to the United States, revealed the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), which did not provide data on the number of resolved cases or those that received a positive response.
In June, a total of 17,563 Cubans entered the United States through its borders, according to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This was the lowest entry in the first nine months of the U.S. fiscal year (FY2024), which began on October 1 of last year.
Migration Trends and Routes for Cubans
The following questions and answers provide further insights into the migration trends and routes taken by Cubans as they attempt to reach the United States.
Why has the number of Cubans crossing the Darién Gap decreased?
The decrease is attributed to Cubans seeking less dangerous routes to the United States, particularly through Nicaragua, which has eliminated visa requirements for Cubans.
What alternatives are Cubans using to reach the United States?
Many Cubans are now traveling through Nicaragua to Mexico, where they seek asylum or continue their journey to the United States.
How has the migration trend changed for Cubans in recent years?
The trend has shifted from high-risk routes like the Darién jungle to safer alternatives through Central America, resulting in fewer Cuban migrants taking perilous paths.