Brazil intercepts 108 Cuban migrants as Roraima border checks tighten

Roraima checks tighten on the Guyana route

Brazil has stepped up policing on the Roraima land border with Guyana after a sustained rise in irregular crossings, with Federal Highway Police announcing on June 9-10 the interception of 108 Cuban migrants in what authorities described as the largest such operation to date in the state. Police say roughly 297 Cuban migrants have been intercepted on the Roraima route since June 2024, with several suspected smugglers arrested.

The operations are framed as humanitarian "rescues" targeting smuggling networks, not as new restrictions on lawful travelers. No new visa rules, entry fees or special documents have been introduced for tourists or expats at northern crossings.

Who feels the heat

Cubans are now the top nationality applying for refugee status in Brazil, with more than 40,000 applications filed in 2025, overtaking Venezuelans, per Justice Ministry data cited by AP. Brazil received about 68,086 asylum requests in 2024, with first-instance recognition rates near 98%, according to UNHCR figures.

Tourists and digital nomads flying into São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Brasília face no systemic changes. Those moving overland through Roraima, Pacaraima or remote Amazonas river routes should expect more checkpoints, document inspections and questioning about travel plans. The U.S. State Department advises against travel within 160 km of Brazil's land borders with Guyana and Venezuela and the UK FCDO warns against all but essential travel to certain remote Amazonas river areas.

Federal funding to the region continues: Brasília allocated 115 million reais to Roraima in 2026 to support reception of Venezuelan migrants through Operation Welcome, which handles registration, health screening and voluntary relocation.

Practical steps for travelers

• Carry your passport, proof of onward travel and proof of funds at all times in border states; expect Federal Highway Police checks on BR-174 and surrounding highways.
• Avoid overland entry from Venezuela outside the Pacaraima crossing and check current advisories before any Guyana-Brazil land transit.
• Asylum seekers can file under Law 9.474/1997, which grants documentation, work authorization and access to public health services while claims are processed; there are no fees for Operation Welcome reception or interiorization.
• Fly into major airports if the itinerary allows; standard immigration control there's unchanged.

Read our full Brazil guide for the complete picture and follow ongoing visa updates for shifts at the northern border.