2021–2023 Cuban migration crisis
The mass exodus has posed humanitarian, social, and political challenges for both Cuba and the U.S., prompting discussions and negotiations between the two nations to address the crisis and manage the flow of migrants.
As the political and economic conditions deteriorated, an increasing number of Cubans sought to leave the country, taking loans with high-interest rates to gather the necessary funds, despite the average monthly salary on the island being approximately $46.
[4] Another major contributing factor to the crisis was a new visa-free travel policy in Nicaragua, which opened a land route for migrants who were hesitant to undertake the dangerous sea journey to the United States.
Some experts speculated that Nicaragua might be using Cuban migrants to exert pressure on the United States to lift sanctions on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his inner circle, mirroring similar strategies seen in other geopolitical situations.
In 2017, the Trump administration cut staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba due to mysterious health problems known as "Havana syndrome" affecting American personnel.
The U.S. was thus unable to fulfill its commitment, outlined in a 1994 agreement between the two countries, to provide 20,000 immigrant visas to Cubans annually, aimed at offering a legal pathway while discouraging illegal migration.
A minority claim they are fleeing political persecution and are "paroled" under the Cuban Adjustment Act, with a chance to obtain permanent residency and citizenship after approval.
[6] Cuban economists and sociologists argue that the migratory flow is jeopardizing Cuba's future as the majority of those leaving the island are young individuals, including university students and working professionals.
"[8] In contrast to the 1980 Mariel boatlift, when the United States accepted a large influx of Cuban migrants, the U.S. has sought to address the crisis through discreet negotiations with Cuba, indicating a change in its stance.
The talks aimed to reestablish a formula that had previously worked, providing a feasible legal channel for Cubans to come to the US in exchange for deporting those who arrived illegally.
