According to the MININT, the return of another six migrants who were intercepted at sea is scheduled for this Friday.
MIAMI, United States. – A total of 128 “irregular” Cuban migrants arrived on the island this Thursday through the “José Martí” International Airport in Havana, returned by United States authorities “in compliance with the bilateral migration agreements” between Washington and Havana, reported the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
According to the official report, the group was made up of 106 men, 21 women and one minor. The MININT added that “a person was detained for being on parole at the time of illegally leaving the country.”
The official information also specified that with this return “there are 53 returns in total from different nations in the region this year, with 1,663 people returned.” He also indicated that “for this Friday morning, the return of six other migrants who were intercepted at sea after illegally leaving the country through that route is scheduled, bringing the total to 1,669.”
For this Friday morning, the return through the port of Orozco, Bahía Honda, Artemisa, of 6 migrants who were intercepted at sea after making an illegal departure from #Cuba in this way, which would add up to 1,669 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/rrbE2BckZw
— MININT_CUBA (@minint_cuba) December 19, 2025
In the same text, the Cuban authorities stated that they had “ratified their commitment to regular, safe and orderly migration,” and reiterated “the danger and life-threatening conditions that illegal departures from the country represent.”
Returns and returns are possible thanks to the immigration agreements signed between Havana and Washington, which —according to documents from the US Department of State.— sought to channel Cuban migration towards “safe, legal and orderly” routes and contemplate, among other elements, the return to Cuba of people intercepted at sea who do not qualify for admission to the United States.
The previous operation of this nature It happened last November 20when 139 irregular migrants returned by the US authorities arrived on the Island. Throughout 2025, deportation flights have remained at the rate of one per month.
These operations from the North American country to Cuba were suspended since 2020 and resumed in April 2023, amid the increase in migratory pressure on the southern US border.
After the cancellation of program parole humanitarian Implemented in 2023 by the Biden Administration—which had contributed to reducing the flow of Cuban rafters—the Donald Trump Government resumed a more restrictive approach, with the resumption of deportation flights and the application of more severe measures against irregular migration.
The persistent economic crisis in Cuba – marked by shortages of food and medicine, inflation, lack of fuel and prolonged blackouts – continues to push tens of thousands of people to try to leave the Island through irregular routes.
