Trump may be triggering a new Cuban migration crisis

The piece argues that U.S. policies may be triggering a new Cuban migration crisis. It recounts a personal family history of leaving central Cuba for survival amid fuel shortages, early reliance on scarce baby foods, and ongoing economic distress. The author attributes Cuba’s deep economic crisis to Trump-era sanctions and the reversal of Obama-era steps, noting a drop in tourist revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy contracted for three consecutive years, prompting the government to seek aid from the World Food Programme to feed children and contributing to an unprecedented exodus, with as much as 10% of the population emigrating. The summer season, with calmer seas, historically facilitates raft crossings across the Florida Straits, and the article argues policy decisions have intensified living conditions that push people to seek asylum in the United States. The author frames the situation as a perfect storm resulting from policy choices and governance on both sides, warning of regional instability and human costs rather than endorsing a specific course of action.