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The economic crisis, lack of food and uncertainty about the future are pushing an ever-increasing number of Cubans to emigrate abroad, generating what is already considered the largest exodus since the Castro revolution of 1959.
This was revealed by the official numbers of the United States government – the main destination for Cuban exiles – according to which between 2022 and 2023 at least 533,000 people left the island for the USA, equal to approximately 5% of the population of 11 million inhabitants . To these must be added 37,000 Cubans who requested refuge in Mexico between 2022 and 2023 and the 22,000 who chose Uruguay. After the abolition of visas for Cubans, Nicaragua has become a highly sought after destination, however there is no official data on the number of migrants welcomed by Managua.
Most of those who leave are of working age, creating further social imbalances at home where the Cuban government faces a very serious economic crisis characterized by the contraction of GDP, which fell between 1 and 2% in 2023, inflation at 30 % per year, fuel shortages – due to the collapse of shipments from historical allies such as Venezuela and Russia – and food shortages which have already led to food rationing and the request for aid from the UN’s World Food Program (WFP).
Meanwhile, the Cuban government has approved the increase in the price of fuel at the pump and other essential services. Starting today, petrol will cost 400% more on the island. The Ministry of Finance and Prices reports that the adjustments aim to “rectify a set of distortions present in the economy”.
Indeed, the authorities have indicated that the adjustments are necessary due to the global increase in fuel prices and the difficulties in obtaining them. The price of the electricity tariff for large consumers and for medium and long-distance transport tickets, both buses and trains, has also been increased, while the prices of cooking gas (in cylinders) have been postponed for the time being.