After knowing that Cuban citizens who travel in a regular manner abroad for personal reasons and all their documentation in order, they have concentrated on the border of Surinam with Guyana with the aim of entering into this country in an irregular way in their tour to the United States; we have held exchanges with different local authorities.
In these meetings, we have informed the counterparts that to some extent the adoption of measures politically motivated by the government of the United States hamper a regular, orderly and safe migratory flow between Cuba and that country which has provoked this situation. All Cuba citizens who wish to migrate to the United States is forced to travel to Georgetown, Guyana to request the corresponding visa since the unjustified closure of the Consular Office of Washington to Havana.
Likewise, we have warned about the non-compliance, also by the US authorities, of the immigration agreements signed, in particular, that related to the non-granting of the minimum number of visas, established in the agreements, for Cuban citizens who wish to emigrate.
In the meetings held, we have warned about the media manipulation associated with Cuban migrants, the vast majority of who traveled from Cuban territory in accordance with Cuban migration regulations and the destination countries.
Additionally, we have conveyed that in their attempt to reach the United States territory or other countries through irregular routes, the Cuban Citizens become victims of traffickers and criminal gangs who operate in the region and in the context of the Covid-19, any displacement of this kind constitutes an epidemiologic risk.
As we have stated during the migratory rounds held in the past, we reiterate Cuba's willingness to receive all Cuban migrants who are today in Guyana in an irregular condition and wish to return, in correspondence with what is established in the Cuban legislation. In these cases, the proper consular assistance and guarantees for a voluntary and safe return will be provided.
The Cuban government ratifies its willingness to continue working with the Guyanese immigration authorities, with the aim of implementing effective working mechanisms in order to prevent that Cuban citizens continue using the Guyanese territory as an irregular transit point toward the United States, or other countries.
Cuba also reiterates that Cuban citizens who are permanent residents in the national territory can exceptionally return with their passports expired and without extension; measure adopted in the context of the COVID19 Pandemic in support of those citizens who were stranded for reasons beyond their control.
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Guyana
December 8, 2020