Why are more and more Central Americans crossing the Atlantic to reach Spain?

Data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) indicates a significant rise in Central American citizens obtaining Spanish nationality in 2025. Honduras and Nicaragua represent the primary countries of origin for this trend, with 20,745 Hondurans and 8,951 Nicaraguans successfully acquiring citizenship. This shift highlights an increasing pattern of migration from Central America toward Spain across the Atlantic.

Separately, in the Dominican Republic, allegations of corruption have emerged regarding the treatment of Haitian migrants. Two individuals have reported that persons identifying as members of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) demanded illicit payments in exchange for avoiding detention during operations in the Greater Santo Domingo area.