Cuban Emigrants among Issues Tackled by Raul and Costa Rica President

Army General Raul Castro, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, received the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis, who paid an official  visit to Cuba.

In a cordial atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon, the two heads of state exchanged views on the good state of bilateral relations and agreed on the willingness to strengthen them. Also, they spoke about various issues on the international agenda.

Tackled during the meeting was the issue of the presence of Cuban emigrants in Costa Rica. Raul reiterated that the policy of “dry feet – wet feet”, the “Program of Parole for Cuban medical personnel” in third countries and “the Cuban Adjustment Act” encourage illegal emigration, threatening the integrity of emigrants, are discriminatory with respect to other countries in the region and generate serious problems for our nations and the United States itself, where governments have been responsible for the situation created.

Both leaders agreed on the need to find as soon as possible an appropriate solution that takes into account the well-being of Cuban citizens involved and help ensure a legal, safe and orderly migration.

Raul reiterated that Cubans that are now in Costa Rica and wish to return to the island have every right to do so, as established by the migratory law.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor were Manuel A. Gonzalez, minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rodrigo Carreras, Costa Rica’s ambassador to Havana.

Cuba was also represented at the meeting by Miguel Diaz-Canel, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, and Bruno Rodriguez and Rogelio Sierra, minister and deputy foreign minister, respectively.

During his visit to the island, Luis Guillermo Solís also paid tribute to Cuban pro-independence hero Major General Antonio Maceo and his assistant Captain Francisco (Panchito) Gomez Toro at El Cacahual Mausoleum.

 

Costa Rica Takes Meassures to Assist Cuban Migrants

San Jose, Dec 15 (Prensa Latina) The government of Costa Rica took steps to ensure humanitarian assistance during Christmas and New Year to thousands of Cubans who are stranded, for one month now, at the border.

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) declared a yellow alert in various border points forcing institutions such as the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health and the Social Security Fund, among others, to remain vigilant during the coming weeks and provide the necessary assistance to the foreigners.

That decision involves the distribution of mattresses, food and medicine, as well as opening more shelters.

In addition to the emergency services to Cubans, with these measures the CNE also seeks to keep under control the security on its borders due to the usual crowds caused by domestic and foreign tourists who come and go from Nicaragua and Panama to visit friends and do shopping.

The alert will run until January 4, when the public officers incorporate to work after the Christmas holidays.

More than four thousand Cubans remain housed in the Costa Rican border with the intention of reaching the United States and encouraged by Washington’s policies that encourage the illegal emigration.