Cuba and the United States hold round of migration talks in Washington D.C.

Migration talks between Cuba and the United States were held in Washington D.C. on April 21, 2022. The delegations were presided over by Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Emily Mendrala, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs respectively.

Both delegations reviewed compliance with the Bilateral Migration Accords as well as the mutual commitment to ensure a regular, safe and orderly migration.

Cuba reiterated its concern over the measures adopted by the US government which encourage migration, prevent a legal and orderly migration and create social and economic conditions that incentivize emigration. Cuba likewise emphasized that these measures, including those associated to the extreme tightening of the economic blockade, are leading to the loss of human lives and the commission of crimes such as illicit alien smuggling, migration fraud and traffic in persons, which affect both countries and the region.

The Cuban delegation insisted on the obligation of the US government to guarantee the issuance in Havana of no less than 20 000 visas per year for those Cubans willing to migrate to the United States, a commitment that has not been complied with since 2017. The Cuban delegation likewise emphasized that there is no reason whatsoever that could justify the continued interruption of that service in Cuba, thus forcing potential migrants to travel to Guyana to have their travel applications processed.

The Cuban delegation also reiterated that the United States should stop hindering and violating the rights of Cubans to travel to third countries of the region and called for the comprehensive and non-selective compliance with the Bilateral Migration Accords.

(Cubaminrex)