Nicaragua ends visa-free entry for Cuban citizens

The policy change cuts off a key transit route for Cubans traveling to the United States

Nicaragua has ended visa-free entry for Cuban citizens as of February 8, 2026. The Nicaraguan government confirmed to The Associated Press that it suspended an exemption that previously allowed Cubans to enter the country without a visa.

The policy change closes off a key transit route for Cubans traveling north to the United States. For years, Nicaragua served as a bridge for Caribbean migrants making their way through Central America toward the US border.

Why the policy changed

The decision comes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration on Latin American nations to align with its priorities on migration and security. The new visa requirement creates a significant barrier for Cuban migrants hoping to reach the US.

What options remain for Cuban migrants

With Nicaragua now requiring visas, Guyana remains one of the few countries where Cubans can travel without a visa to begin their journey to the US. From Guyana, migrants typically travel through the dangerous Darién Gap, the jungle region between Colombia and Panama, before continuing north through Central America.

In the past, some Cubans with limited options have attempted precarious boat journeys from Cuba directly to the Florida coast.