US negotiates deportation of Cuban migrants to Uruguay
The United States State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been holding months‑long talks with Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Mario Lubetkin, about the possibility of sending migrants deported from the United States to Uruguay. The discussions focus primarily on Cubans, although Uruguay’s officials say any agreement would not be limited to a single nationality.
Uruguay has confirmed that the talks are ongoing and that no binding agreement has been reached. The government emphasizes its need for immigrant workers and sees the potential relocation as a way to address labor shortages and an aging population. Uruguay already hosts a sizable Cuban community—about 24,000 Cuban asylum seekers were recorded in 2025 and roughly 12,000 Cuban‑born residents live in the country.
The United States is pursuing third‑country solutions for Cubans it cannot return to Cuba, having previously sent some to Mexico and several African nations. Both sides are also examining the possibility of reuniting deported migrants with family members already residing in Uruguay. No written pact has been made public, and if finalized it may not explicitly name Cubans, even though they would be the primary group affected.
Entities: Bayron Leopoldo Pérez Batres · Carlos Negro · Department of Homeland Security · Diego Cardona · Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Lauren Bis · Marco Rubio · Mario Lubetkin · United States · Uruguay
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Uruguay hosts about 24,000 Cuban asylum seekers in 2025 and roughly 12,000 Cuban‑born residents. (source)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Uruguay's foreign ministry says the discussions are not limited to Cuban nationals. (source)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Uruguay views the potential influx of migrant workers as a way to address labor shortages and its aging population. (source)
- [● 3 SOURCES] No concrete agreement has been reached; talks are ongoing and no final deal has been signed. (source)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The United States is seeking third‑country solutions for Cubans it cannot send back to Cuba, having previously sent some to Mexico and African nations. (source)
- [● 2 SOURCES] If an agreement is signed, it may not explicitly name Cubans, though they would be the primary group targeted. (source)
- [● 4 SOURCES] US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio has been discussing relocation of deported migrants to Uruguay with Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (source)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Both governments are evaluating family reunification for deportees with relatives living in Uruguay. (source)