GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands—Cayman Islands authorities are implementing contingency measures to address a potential humanitarian crisis stemming from anticipated mass migration from Cuba, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson revealed to the Public Accounts Committee. This preparedness initiative comes as regional instability intensifies following recent U.S. military interventions in Venezuela.
Manderson identified the U.S. control over seized Venezuelan oil shipments as a critical factor that could trigger widespread Cuban migration. The potential termination of oil supplies to Havana, he warned, might precipitate severe economic collapse in Cuba, creating desperate conditions that could drive thousands of migrants toward neighboring territories.
Drawing parallels to the 1994 migrant crisis when over 1,100 Cubans arrived unexpectedly—an event that proved both financially burdensome and politically challenging—Manderson emphasized that risk management has become integral to governmental operations. A specialized team within the Home Affairs Ministry is currently developing strategies to mitigate both internal and external threats, including potential mass arrivals.
Governor Jane Owen confirmed that security services are actively formulating response plans, acknowledging public concern regarding the situation. A dedicated committee focusing on migration emergencies will convene this week to coordinate the British overseas territory’s response strategies.
Police Commissioner Kurt Walton noted that the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and Customs and Border Control are enhancing regional intelligence sharing and operational coordination with international partners. These efforts aim to anticipate multiple scenarios and prevent improvised responses should a rapid-onset humanitarian crisis materialize in coming days.
The geopolitical context includes the January 2026 U.S. military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who now face narcoterrorism charges in New York. With Venezuela’s oil infrastructure under U.S. control and the Trump administration maintaining强硬 policies toward Cuba, the island nation faces imminent energy isolation from its primary fuel supplier.