Madrid/Never before have so many Cubans entered Uruguay as last year, more than 22,000, and never before have so many obtained the ID of the South American country, 13,852. According to data from the National Directorate of Migration (DNM), broadcast by local mediathis last figure places the island’s nationals as those who received the most identity documents, apart from the Uruguayans themselves, five times as many as Argentines (2,635), Brazilians (2,564) or Venezuelans (2,042).
The number of admissions shows a considerable jump compared to the previous year. In 2024, there were 13,118 Cubans who entered Uruguay, according to the DNM. That year, 2,092 nationals of the Island obtained Uruguayan residency.
The Uruvene organization, which deals with migrants arriving for the first time in that nation, declared that they served 942 Cubans in 2025, far ahead of Venezuelans, 300. “We have noticed that they arrive five per family, a complete family group,” said Yanitze Gutiérrez, a member of that organization, in statements to Telemundo from Uruguay. “The situation in Cuba has become unbearable,” he added. “It is not only spending more than 14 hours without electricity, without having access to food, but also the money that is no longer enough, it is no longer enough with what family members send them.”
The migratory route that takes Cubans to South America has been consolidated in recent years
The migratory route that takes Cubans heading to South America has been consolidated in the last two years, given the growing difficulties in emigrating to the United States or transatlantic countries such as Spain. In principle, this trip to the south does not have the dangers posed by the sea route in the Straits of Florida, or organized crime in countries like Mexico or Guatemala, or the harsh Darien jungle, although it is not without danger either.
As published a few days ago Globesince last November about 200 Cubans have been victims of an organization that was dedicated to human trafficking on the border of Brazil with Guyana and that has been dismantled by the Police. The number, local media sources warned, was estimated to be higher, since the gang had been operating for at least a year.
This total corresponds to the Cubans who stayed for three months in a clandestine hostel that had more than 30 beds. Initially, those involved used their own homes to house the migrants. With the increase in flow, the researchers indicated, a larger structure was installed.
Investigations indicate that the victims were recruited in Cuba and entered Brazil through the state of Roraima, passing through Lethem (Guyana) and heading to Boa Vista.
The nationals of the Island, as published 14ymedioeither they stay in Brazil or continue the route further south, to Uruguay and, to a lesser extent, to Chile.
