An in-depth report by journalist Claudia Padrón Cueto, published by CubaNet, revealed 11 instances where Cuban nationals were transferred to Uzbekistan by Russian authorities between March and September 2026, without prior notification or formal documentation of the process.
All those interviewed shared a common expectation: they believed they would be repatriated to Cuba and only realized they had been sent to a third country upon landing in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The investigation highlighted, "The 11 individuals shared a critical point: they neither consented to this destination nor were they informed."
Among the detailed accounts is that of María Antonia Pérez Salazar, aged 73, who arrived at Tashkent's Islam Karimov International Airport on August 1, without money, a phone, and her belongings in a single bag.
Russian authorities had escorted her to the plane without disclosing her destination. Her daughter Niosly remained detained in Russia, while her three grandchildren were left in the care of social services. According to CubaNet, María Antonia feared she might die there "without any family member even knowing."
For several days, María Antonia wandered around the airport terminal, sleeping on waiting chairs and subsisting on the single daily meal provided by Uzbek immigration authorities, although she was not officially under their custody.
On the third day, she encountered a young Cuban in a similar predicament, who guided her to a hostel in Tashkent that has turned into a meeting point for Cubans sent there under comparable circumstances.
Yalina González Morales, a 29-year-old from Mayabeque, experienced almost the same ordeal: she was taken under police escort onto a plane bound for Uzbekistan, unable to check her ticket or confirm the route. Her husband Ronniel remained detained in Russia at the time of the report.
CubaNet gathered additional similar testimonies through Telegram groups of Cubans in Uzbekistan: men and women, unfamiliar with each other, described the same journey: a raid in Russia, months under migration custody, followed by a flight to a country some had never heard of.
The investigation indicates that the lack of written documents about the procedure makes it impossible to identify which legal framework—administrative deportation, forced expulsion, or another—Russia applied in these transfers.
The situation for those sent to Uzbekistan is especially precarious because, although the country allows Cubans to enter without a visa for stays up to 30 days, they do so as ordinary tourists, without any protective status or institutional support.
A return flight to Cuba from Tashkent, with no direct routes, could exceed 18 hours and cost between $1,310 and $1,703 as of last August, a prohibitive amount for those arriving without resources.
The tightening of Russian migration policies exacerbates the situation: in July 2026, the Duma passed new rules requiring foreigners who lose their jobs or fail to meet minimum income levels to leave the country within 15 days, and the suspension of direct flights between Russia and Cuba since February 2026 further complicated direct repatriations.
According to CubaNet, neither migration specialists nor consulted human rights organizations were aware of these expulsions of Cubans from Russia to third countries, underscoring the secrecy with which these transfers may have been conducted.
Insights on Cuban Transfers to Uzbekistan
Why were Cuban nationals sent to Uzbekistan?
Cuban nationals were transferred to Uzbekistan by Russian authorities without their consent or prior knowledge of the destination, as revealed by an investigation. The reasons for these transfers remain unclear due to the absence of documentation.
What challenges do Cubans face in Uzbekistan?
Cubans in Uzbekistan face significant challenges as they are regarded as tourists without any protected status or institutional support. Additionally, the cost and logistics of returning to Cuba are prohibitive.
How has Russian migration policy affected this situation?
Russian migration policy, particularly new rules requiring foreigners to leave if they lose their jobs or fail to meet income requirements, has intensified the difficulties, compounded by the suspension of direct flights to Cuba.