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This Friday, a flight arrived in Cuba from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, carrying nine deported migrants who had left the country illegally.
All the migrants are men, and most of them come from the province of Ciego de Ávila, according to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) as reported on X.
With this operation on Friday, the total number of forced repatriations for the year now stands at 92, bringing the total of 1,363 individuals returned in 2024 from various countries in the region.
The deportation of Cubans from Grand Cayman and other countries not only marks an abrupt end to their migration aspirations, but also returns them to a bleak reality in a country plunged into a deep economic crisis.
For many of these migrants, forced return means facing again a lack of opportunities and a system unable to provide them with a decent future.
This cycle of migration and return highlights the desperation of those who risk everything to escape a life devoid of hope, serving as a striking reflection of the collapse of a model that can no longer uphold even the most basic dreams of its citizens.
Although the MININT information does not specify, it is very likely that the recently deported Cubans were the eight rafters who were rescued by an oil tanker on November 28, after their vessel capsized near the Cayman Islands, according to the Customs and Border Control Service (CBC).
Throughout 2024, the authorities in the Cayman Islands have maintained the periodic deportation of migrants arriving on their shores or intercepted in their waters back to Cuba.
On November 22, four more migrants from Cuba were returned to their country by air on a Cayman Airways flight.
A week later, in a second air operation led by the CBC, which involved officials from the Prison Service (HMCIPS), another 12 Cubans were repatriated.
In recent years, many Cuban rafters have reached that British overseas territory on their journey to Mexico, which they aim to reach in order to continue their trip overland to the border with the United States, where they plan to seek asylum.
The authorities in the Cayman Islands operate a detention center where irregular Cuban migrants are held before being repatriated to the island.
As of the publication of this report, no further details have emerged regarding the most recent deportation of Cubans from the Cayman Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Deportation of Cuban Migrants from Grand Cayman
How many Cuban migrants have been deported so far in 2024?
In 2024, a total of 1,363 Cubans have been repatriated from various countries, including the United States, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.
What motivates Cubans to emigrate irregularly?
The lack of opportunities and the economic crisis in Cuba are driving many citizens to seek better living conditions abroad. The collapse of the Cuban socialist system cannot support even the most basic dreams of its citizens, leading many to emigrate even at the risk of their lives.
What is the process of deportation from the Cayman Islands?
In the Cayman Islands, Cuban migrants are detained in a center before being repatriated to Cuba. Cayman authorities have maintained the regular deportation of Cubans who arrive on their shores or are intercepted in their waters. The regulations implemented in 2022 have significantly reduced the processing time for repatriation.
What consequences do Cuban migrants face when they are deported?
The forced return of Cuban migrants implies facing once again the lack of opportunities and adverse conditions in a country in crisis, which significantly impacts their aspirations to improve their living conditions.
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