Cuba Blames US Trade Embargo For Surge In Migrants

There has been a surge in migrants crossing via irregular routes through Central America in the last couple of weeks, and Cuba is blaming the United States trade embargo for it.

Mexico and the U.S. have made headlines in recent weeks as thousands of migrants enter the latter through its southern border to flee from bad economic conditions and violence in Latin America, Africa and Asia. This wave of migrants includes a significant number of Cubans, the Caribbean country reportedly claimed in a statement released on Wednesday.

"During the last months and weeks, the irregular migratory flow of Cuban citizens through the Central American corridor bound for the United States has experienced noticeable growth," Cuba said, according to Reuters.

"The economic blockade, reinforced in recent years, causes extraordinary limitations to the Cuban economy and the population's standard of living, which stimulates the migration," it added.

Cuba is currently dealing with an unprecedented economic crisis. Besides blackouts, it is also faced with shortages in food, medicine and fuel. The country's gross domestic product is less than 8% while its production of foods is 40% less, The Guardian reported, citing the Cuban government.

Just last week, the Cuban government issued a warning telling its citizens that due to lack of fuel, the country might witness a significant increase in blackouts across its territory, except Havana.

The economic embargo does not allow Cuba to trade or perform any commercial activities with the U.S. It is reinforced through various acts, including the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Cuban Assets Control Regulations of 1963, the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, the Helms-Burton Act of 1996 and the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.

It can be recalled that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called out the U.S. last month for keeping Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The country was added to the list during the term of former President Donald Trump. However, Cuba still wasn't removed from it even after President Joe Biden took office in 2021.