New York, 6 May 2026 – Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration during the policy debate of the Second International Migration Review Forum, held at UN headquarters from 5 to 8 May.
In his address, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the importance of the Global Compact as the first global agreement on international migration grounded in international cooperation and the protection of migrants’ rights. He also reiterated Cuba’s political will to further advance the implementation of the Compact’s goals in relevant multilateral and regional forums.
Ambassador Soberón denounced that the extreme tightening of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government against Cuba—including the ongoing energy siege—is exacerbating the demographic and migration challenges facing the country. He added that Washington continues to use the migration issue as a tool of aggression and subversion against Cuba by offering privileged and unique treatment to Cuban citizens who arrive on U.S. soil through irregular means.
Furthermore, he underscored that the United States systematically fails to comply with bilateral migration agreements signed with Cuba, which further encourages irregular and unsafe migration flows. These flows, he warned, benefit human trafficking networks and endanger the lives of Cuban migrants.
Despite these difficulties, the Permanent Representative stressed that Cuba has undertaken concrete actions to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. These include the implementation of a Policy for Addressing Demographic Dynamics, which tackles the root causes of migration in order to reduce migrant outflows, mitigate depopulation, and facilitate the participation of Cubans living abroad in the country’s socioeconomic development.
Ambassador Soberón highlighted the adoption in 2024 of new laws on migration, foreign nationals, and citizenship, as well as the recent official publication of their implementing regulations. These norms facilitate family reunification, return, and circular migration; protect property rights; and promote investments by Cubans living abroad.
Cuba also reiterated its willingness to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation to ensure stable and safe migration flows that respect the laws and sovereignty of states, as well as the human rights of migrants.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.