Díaz-Canel criticizes deportations in the U.S.: "Migration flows are a problem of our times."

The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel criticized U.S. immigration policy this Monday, and accusing Washington of using them as a “mechanism of political pressure and blackmail” against Latin America.

During his speech at the XII Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - Trade Treaty of the Peoples (ALBA-TCP) in Venezuela, Díaz-Canel stated that migratory flows "are not a problem but a phenomenon of our times," a consequence of the "unjust prevailing economic order" that forces thousands of people to leave their countries in search of better living conditions.

Despite the fact that Cuba is going through one of the worst economic crises in its history, the leader avoided mentioning the massive exodus of Cubans in recent years, attributing the migratory phenomenon in the region to the economic and trade policies of the U.S., which he claims “hinder the development of Latin American countries.”

Díaz-Canel criticized the administration of Donald Trump, accusing it of having promoted a policy that is "openly anti-immigrant."

Among his main criticisms, he mentioned that the White House under Trump's leadership defended and promoted the construction of the border wall with Mexico, implemented the "zero tolerance" policy, which resulted in the separation of thousands of migrant children from their families, restricted asylum applications, and promoted the "Remain in Mexico" program, which forced applicants to wait outside the U.S. while their cases were processed.

He also noted that the Republican administration reduced the number of refugees admitted to historically low levels and attempted to eliminate the DACA program, which protects undocumented youth who arrived in the U.S. as children from deportation.

Díaz-Canel stated that Trump's immigration policy was based on a "critical and discriminatory discourse against migrants," portraying them as a threat to the security and economy of the United States.

The Cuban ruler also condemned what he called a "barbaric act," referring to the establishment of a detention center for migrants at the Guantanamo Naval Base, where, according to him, there is an intention to imprison tens of thousands of people.

He stated that this measure represents a "threat to the national security of Cuba and the region" and reminded that the base houses "a detention and torture center condemned by the international community."

Díaz-Canel insisted that the deportation of migrants must be carried out "within the framework of bilateral or multilateral agreements," respecting the sovereignty of each country and avoiding interference in internal affairs.

The leader of the Cuban regime stated that his government "strives for an orderly, safe, and regular migration, with respect for human rights," despite ongoing reports of repression and obstacles faced by those wishing to emigrate legally.

He also defended the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) as the legitimate space for political coordination in the region and called for strengthening regional integration.

While Díaz-Canel blames the U.S. for the migratory crisis in the region, Cuba faces an unprecedented exodus. In just the last two years, over 500,000 Cubans have arrived in the U.S., fleeing economic collapse, repression, and a lack of opportunities on the island.

Despite its rhetoric on "orderly and regular migration," the Cuban regime has imposed restrictions on those trying to leave the country legally, including the withholding of passports and the denial of exit permits to dissenters and activists.

While the Cuban government denounces the immigration policies of the U.S., thousands of Cubans continue to risk their lives on perilous journeys to escape the crisis on the island, a topic that Díaz-Canel chose to ignore in his remarks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Díaz-Canel's Criticism of U.S. Immigration Policy.