On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Prime Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, published a message on his X account (formerly Twitter) expressing solidarity with those forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts, but remained silent about the exodus that has emptied thousands of homes on the island.
"We raise our voice for the thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts. #Cuba reiterates the call for peace," wrote Marrero, while denouncing "the genocide of Israel in Palestine and its warlike escalation in the region."
However, his statement sparked a wave of criticism among Cuban users on social media, who accused him of ignoring the growing number of citizens who have had to flee the country due to economic, political, and social reasons.
"Doesn't it say anything about the thousands of Cubans who have drowned in the Florida Strait or those who have died in the Darién Jungle?" questioned an internet user.
Other users accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that "because of his totalitarian policies, I am a refugee in Europe."
Critics point to one of the most acute migration crises that Cuba has faced in recent decades.
In 2024 alone, more than 250,000 Cubans emigrated, according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), in a context characterized by inflation, shortages, a loss of confidence in the future, and the absence of structural reforms.
The demographic balance was even more dramatic: the island lost over 307,000 inhabitants in 2024, and recorded the lowest number of births in 65 years.
Independent studies suggest that the actual number of emigrants may have surpassed 545,000 Cubans, which would imply a population decline comparable to that of war-torn countries.
Additionally, data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reveals that more than 300,000 Cubans applied for asylum in various countries during 2023.
In the United States alone, over 241,000 requests have been reported. Since 2022, more than 850,000 Cubans have arrived in that country, mostly through the southern border.
Despite the figures, the Cuban government avoids referring to its citizens publicly as "refugees" and describes emigration as a "multicausal" phenomenon, primarily attributed to external factors and the impact of the U.S. embargo.
In his message for World Refugee Day, Marrero made no mention of the human tragedy faced by thousands of Cubans who leave their homes, often with no possibility of returning.
It also made no mention of the deaths during perilous journeys such as the Darién Jungle or the Florida Straits, nor of the increasing number of asylum applications in Latin America and Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Migration Crisis and Manuel Marrero's Message
What was Manuel Marrero's message on World Refugee Day?
Manuel Marrero expressed solidarity with those forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts and denounced the "genocide of Israel in Palestine." However, his message was criticized for not addressing the situation of Cubans who emigrate due to the economic and political crisis in Cuba.
How many Cubans emigrated in 2024 and what impact has this had on the island's population?
In 2024, more than 250,000 Cubans emigrated according to official data, although independent studies suggest that the number could be over 545,000. This massive migration has resulted in a loss of more than 300,000 inhabitants on the island, exacerbating the demographic crisis and the aging population in Cuba.
What criticism has the Cuban government received for its handling of emigration and the internal crisis?
The Cuban government has been criticized for not recognizing its citizens as "refugees" and for attributing emigration to external factors, such as the U.S. embargo, while failing to address internal causes like political repression, economic crisis, and lack of opportunities. The criticisms include accusations of hypocrisy and a lack of self-reflection.
How has the Cuban government responded to the criticism regarding the mass exodus of its citizens?
The Cuban government, led by Díaz-Canel, has blamed the U.S. embargo for the massive exodus of Cubans, describing it as the main cause of the economic difficulties on the island. However, this stance has been criticized for failing to address the internal issues that contribute to the migration crisis.
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