Cubans Lead Refugee Requests in Brazil, Surpassing Venezuelans
Brazil is experiencing a significant shift in the profile of asylum seekers. For the first time, Cubans have outnumbered Venezuelans and become the largest group requesting international protection in the country. According to data from OBMigra, linked to the Ministry of Justice, there were 41,919 Cuban applications in 2025—an 88% increase compared to the previous year. Venezuelans, who historically led this flow, registered 21,233 requests.
In total, Brazil received 75,599 asylum applications in 2025. Besides Cuba and Venezuela, notable requests came from citizens of Colombia, Angola, Morocco, and Ghana.
Geographic Distribution Most applications are concentrated in border states and major urban centers:
- Roraima: 32%
- São Paulo: 26.5%
- Amapá: 12.6%
The North region accounts for more than half of the requests approved by the National Committee for Refugees (Conare).
Reasons for Migration Nearly 95% of applications were based on “widespread human rights violations,” a category still dominated by Venezuelans. In the case of Cubans, political and economic crises are driving the mass exodus.
