Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of trends in the level of migration of people from Cuba to the US in 2022.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

We are aware that increasing numbers of Cuban nationals are migrating from Cuba to countries in the region, including to the US. The UK opposes the US embargo against Cuba, which continues to damage Cuba's economy. We consistently vote in support of the annual United Nations General Assembly Resolution calling for an end to the embargo.

Many Cuban migrants travel through Mexico to reach the US. Our Embassy in Mexico City monitors the cross-border migration situation closely. British Embassy officials visit migration shelters on Mexico's southern and northern borders and remain in close contact with Mexican authorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America following (1) the concerns that government have expressed about the Cuban leadership’s “calls to combat”, and (2) the US President's statement that he stands with the Cuban people.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK and US regularly discuss our perspectives on Latin America, including Cuba. We agree with the US that the protestors' concerns need to be heard, and their right to protest peacefully needs to respected. Like the US, we have been clear in calling for calm and restraint. We will continue to discuss Cuba with the US and other partners, including our opposition to the US embargo, which we consider to be counterproductive.