Cuba`s 'migratory stampede' has no end in sight

[El Presidente]

 

Cuba`s 'migratory stampede' has no end in sight

By Carlos Carrillo

September 11, 20249:05 PM GMT+10Updated 12 hours ago

Item 1 of 5 A woman sells spices while others enter a fresh produce market, in Havana, Cuba September 4, 2024. REUTERS/Norlys Perez

[1/5]A woman sells spices while others enter a fresh produce market, in Havana, Cuba September 4, 2024. REUTERS/Norlys Perez Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

HAVANA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Cuban lab chemist Deisy Herrera was crushed when her two sons left the island in search of a better life.

"Those were terrible times," the 61-year old pharmaceutical worker said in tears during an interview at her home in Havana. "When you have kids, you never think they will leave. But we all know the situation here."

It is no secret that Cuba`s economic crisis has prompted a record-breaking exodus of its citizens - far exceeding similar mass migrations off the island, including the 1980 Mariel boatlift.

 

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[Puros Y Vino]

1 in 4 Cubans are over 60. That doesn't sound good. Brain and youth drain. Imagine if the tobacco farmers said "screw it" and left?

[SignalJoe]

I made it back for the first time post Covid in November of 22. The difference was obvious on the drive in from the airport. The streets and restaurants were empty of both cars and people. The drive from my Casa in Edado to the Nacional was even more depressing. It was the first time I had the Malecon more or less abandoned. The street activity elsewhere was about half of what I remembered. I understand that 10% is the accepted number in population loss, the eyeball test suggests its far greater than that.