This past Friday, a plane from the Cayman Islands touched down in Cuba, carrying back nine irregular migrants who had departed the island illegally. According to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), all of these migrants are men, with the majority hailing from the province of Ciego de Ávila.
With this recent operation, the number of forced repatriations this year has reached 92, totaling 1,363 individuals returned to Cuba in 2024 from various countries within the region. The deportation of Cubans from the Cayman Islands and other nations not only abruptly ends their migration hopes but also returns them to a bleak reality in a country engulfed in a severe economic crisis.
For many of these migrants, being forced back means confronting once again the lack of opportunities and a system unable to provide a dignified future. This relentless cycle of migration and return highlights the desperation of those risking everything to escape a hopeless life, a stark reflection of the collapse of a model unable to sustain even the most basic dreams of its citizens.
Though MININT's statement lacks specifics, it is likely that the recently deported Cubans include the eight rafters rescued by an oil tanker on November 28, after their vessel capsized near the Cayman Islands, as reported by the Customs and Border Control Service (CBC).
Throughout 2024, Cayman Islands authorities have regularly deported migrants arriving at their shores or intercepted in their waters back to Cuba. On November 22, another four migrants from Cuba were returned by air on a Cayman Airways flight. A week later, a second air operation led by the CBC, with the cooperation of Her Majesty's Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS) officers, saw the repatriation of 12 more Cubans.
In recent years, many Cuban rafters have reached this British Overseas Territory during their journey toward Mexico, intending to continue overland to the U.S. border to seek asylum. The Cayman Islands authorities maintain a detention center where irregular Cuban migrants are held before being sent back to the island. As of the close of this report, no further details have emerged about the latest deportation from the Cayman Islands.
Migrant Deportation and Repatriation from Cayman Islands
Why are Cuban migrants being deported from the Cayman Islands?
Cuban migrants are deported from the Cayman Islands because they have entered the country illegally, often intercepted while attempting to reach other destinations. The authorities follow strict immigration policies that mandate the repatriation of such migrants.
What challenges do deported Cuban migrants face upon returning?
Deported Cuban migrants face significant challenges, including limited economic opportunities, a lack of resources, and a struggling system that cannot provide a decent future, exacerbating their pre-existing hardships.
How many Cubans have been deported from the Cayman Islands in 2024?
As of the latest reports, a total of 1,363 Cubans have been forcibly returned to their homeland in 2024 from various countries, including the Cayman Islands.