Cuban migration dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean - A regional snapshot (Jan 2025 – Feb 2026)

AI Summary

IOM's regional snapshot analyzes Cuban migration dynamics across Latin America and the Caribbean from January 2025 to February 2026, revealing diversifying routes and shifting settlement patterns. Northbound movement through Honduras has dropped sharply from 64,000 in 2024 to under 19,000 in 2025, while Brazil has seen significant growth in Cuban net migration and asylum applications. South America is emerging as an increasingly important destination, with Costa Rica, Brazil, and Uruguay becoming key settlement hubs.

Countries: Cuba, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana, Honduras, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), World Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Between 2025 and the early months of 2026, new dynamics have emerged in Cuban mobility across Latin America and the Caribbean. Insights from IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), irregular migration statistics provided by Central American governments, and regular migration figures from South America underscore the need for close monitoring and coordinated regional responses: Routes are diversifying, with Cubans using both regular and irregular paths through Central America and regular air routes into South America. Northbound movement continues, even as some corridors –especially Honduras– show sharp volume declines. South America is gaining importance, particularly Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil as entry points, as well as Brazil and Uruguay as settlement points. Settlement trends are strengthening, with Costa Rica, Brazil and Uruguay emerging as key hubs where Cubans show a strong intent to remain. Volumes are shifting, with steep drops in Honduras (64,000 in 2024 to under 19,000 in 2025) and notable growth in Brazil (net migration rising from +2,172 in 2024 to +6,404 in 2025; and asylum applications up from 22,288 to 41,919 respectively)