Migration crisis: Cuba, among the countries with the highest number of deaths on Caribbean roads

The majority of migrants who died during 2022 on the various routes to the Caribbean came from CubaHaiti and the Dominican Republic, detailed in a report The International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the United Nations.

From January to December 2022, 1,457 deaths and disappearances (208 more than in 2021) were recorded on immigration routes in America. Of these cases, 566 occurred in North America, 483 in Central America, 350 in the Caribbean, and 58 in South America.

According to the International Organization for Migration’s report, these deaths are, for the most part, linked to the lack of safe and regular movement options, which Migrants are increasingly likely to choose irregular migration routes that put their lives at risk.

Of the 566 deaths recorded in North America during the year 2022, 82 were women, 353 were men, and 15 were minors, and it was not possible to determine the gender or age of 116 victims. In Central America, 483 deaths and disappearances were recorded, including 89 women, 209 men, and 41 minors, and the gender or age of 144 people could not be determined.

In North America, in cases where the country of origin of deceased migrants could be identified, the three countries with the highest number of casualties were Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba.

Regarding the routes from the Caribbean to the United States, in 2022, there were 203 deaths and disappearances of migrants (150 Cubans). They included 45 women, 72 men, 13 minors, and 73 people whose gender and age were not specified. This represents an increase of 206%, compared to the 66 deaths recorded during 2021.

In the Caribbean, the three nationalities with the highest number of deaths were the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. The main cause of death was drowning.

The International Organization for Migration concluded that the majority of the deceased could not be identified and their nationality was unknown. “This trend represents a challenge in terms of data analysis, but mainly for families of missing migrants who still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones,” IOM explained.

This was determined by the United Nations organization The vast majority of these deaths occurred on irregular migration routes Extremely dangerous for those who experience it. The recorded deaths are directly linked to the lack of legal avenues for safe, orderly and regular migration.