According to an official statement cited by Prensa Latina, 180 Cubans will leave Costa Rica on a charter flight to El Salvador, from where they will board a bus to Guatemala and continue on to the Mexican border, before crossing into U.S. territory.

Costa Rican authorities based selection of the group on the migrants’ arrival date to the country, and ability to pay for the trip, which in total will cost $555 for adults and $350 for children. It includes transportation, food, entry and departure taxes in each country, plus health insurance.

The statement noted that the process will be governed by the migratory legislation of each of the states en route, namely Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the intended final destination of the Cubans, the United States, maintains its “wet foot, dry foot” policy and the Cuban Adjustment Act, which serve to encourage illegal emigration of Cubans, to the detriment of agreements signed with the island.

These travel arrangements for the Cubans were organized at the request of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with the support of the United Nations System.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel González stressed that this extraordinary mechanism is only applicable to the 7,802 Cubans who were granted transit visas. This will not become a regular process, he noted.

“It is not open to other nationalities. This situation is generated by the Cuban Adjustment Act, which several countries have described as inappropriate. But we are aware that this law will persist,” the Foreign Minister told Costa Rican newspaper La Nación.

Meanwhile, Kathya Rodríguez, director of Immigration of Costa Rica, explained that there will not be any children traveling on this first trip, and that all those traveling were granted an extension to their Costa Rican transit visa on November 14, that is they have been in the country for the longest period of time.

The government of El Salvador yesterday reiterated its full readiness to implement this plan. A statement released by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notes that all relevant protocols are being prepared to ensure the proper, orderly and safe overland transit of the migrants to Guatemala, in accordance with the plan agreed last December 28.

Mexican Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu, reiterated this Thursday, January 7, her government’s position in favor of orderly migration.

Speaking at the 27th meeting of ambassadors and consuls of the country, she said that Mexico is a source country of immigrants, as well as serving as a transit country, a final destination and a return destination. “As such we have a responsibility of the highest order,” she said.

Mexican immigration officials have confirmed that the reception of the Cubans traveling from Central America follows established mechanisms and there is no cause for an immigration crisis to arise in the country.

(Granma)

In a cordial atmosphere, the two leaders exchanged views on the good state of bilateral relations and agreed on the desire to strengthen them. They also discussed various issues on the international agenda.

During the meeting, the issue of the presence of Cuban migrants in Costa Rica was addressed. President Raúl reiterated that the so-called “wet foot-dry foot” policy, the “Parole Program for Cuban Medical Personnel” in third countries and the “Cuban Adjustment Act” encourage illegal migration, are discriminatory with respect to other countries in the region and create serious problems for our nations and the United States itself.

Both leaders agreed on the need to find an appropriate solution as soon as possible that takes into account the welfare of Cuban citizens and helps ensure legal, safe and orderly migration.

Raúl reiterated that those Cubans currently in Costa Rica who wish to return to the island have every right to do so, as established by the country’s immigration law.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor were Manuel A. González Sanz, minister of Foreign Affairs, Rodrigo Carreras Jiménez, Costa Rica’s ambassador to Cuba and several members of the accompanying delegation.

Participating on the Cuban side were Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, minister of Foreign Affairs and other government leaders.

(Granma)

(Granma)

Solís indicated that during the official visit, he hoped to conclude the process of normalization of bilateral ties which began in the 1990s, and to develop cooperation in several areas.

Also among the objectives of the visit, Solís said, are promoting trade, expanding Costa Rican exports to Cuba, which this year reached more than 40 million dollars, adding, “We want this to continue.”

He commented that Cuba is one of the principal political actors in the Caribbean Basin, which is of special interest to Costa Rican regional foreign policy.

Solís concluded his comments saying that the issue of migration was also “on the agenda.”

More than five thousand Cubans are currently in Costa Rica waiting to continue their journey to the United States, where they will be received in accordance with that country’s “wet foot-dry foot policy” which promotes illegal migration.

President Solís was welcomed at Havana’s José Martí International Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra and members of the Costa Rican diplomatic mission in Cuba.

The more than 30-person delegation included several ministers: Foreign Relations, Manuel González; Science and Technology, Marcelo Jenkins; Tourism, Mauricio Ventura; and Health, Fernando Llorca.

The two day stay will include visits to scientific research centers; a conference on relations between the two countries; and meetings with a number of Cuban leaders.

(Granma)