Havana, October 6 (RHC)-- The Cuban Foreign Ministry says the United States is responsible for the exodus of Cuban migrants by stoking an economic crisis in the Latin American country.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry statement said: “The economic blockade, reinforced in recent years, causes extraordinary limitations to the Cuban economy and the population’s standard of living, which stimulates the migration.”  The statement says that the irregular migratory flow of Cuban citizens through the Central American corridor bound for the United States has “experienced noticeable growth” during the recent weeks and months.

“During the last months and weeks, the irregular migratory flow of Cuban citizens through the Central American corridor bound for the United States has experienced noticeable growth,” the statement said.

Data shows a record-breaking number of Cubans reached the U.S. border last year.   Cuba’s economy is suffering an unprecedented crisis, with shortages of basic goods including food, fuel and medicine due to US sanctions.