Individuals collect exterior Panama's embassy the day after Panama's authorities introduced it can require transit visas for Cubans, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Panama is a vital hub for passengers touring anyplace within the Caribbean, Central and a North America. (AP Picture/Ismael Francisco)
HAVANA --
Upwards of 400 Cubans, many holding passports and aircraft tickets, gathered at Panama's embassy in Havana on Wednesday protesting new visa necessities that hinder these in a rising wave of migrants hoping to cross via the Central American nation and north to america.
A number of protesters advised Reuters that they had already booked flights for the approaching days, solely to awaken this morning to the choice by Panama to require a "transit" visa for any Cuban arriving on the Panama Metropolis airport.
Anisley Peña wept beside her 9-year-old son Densel simply exterior the embassy gates. She advised Reuters the 2 had been slated to journey to Panama after which on a connecting flight to Nicaragua Wednesday afternoon. Now their plans had been in limbo, she mentioned.
"I am determined. I used to be purported to be on the airport at 10 within the morning and right here I'm with no information or something. It is my boy's birthday," she mentioned.
The gang chanted "We wish a response, we wish a response" behind a police cordon. Late within the afternoon, the embassy launched a press release on social media clarifying the visa requirement would come into impact starting Sunday.
The embassy advised passengers scheduled on flights to Panama between March 13 and the tip of the month to rebook for a later date to permit time to use for the $50 visa.
Panama's Nationwide Migration Service later launched a press release saying the measure was adopted to ensure "safety and management" in relation to Cubans who transit via Panama to a different vacation spot or to return to their nation.
Demand for flights from Havana to cities in Central America has soared after Nicaragua in November lifted visa necessities for Cuban nationals. This opened a brand new avenue for migration north to Mexico and america.
Most direct flights are bought out, leaving multi-stop flights via neighboring international locations as the one possibility for a lot of Cubans.
Cuban Frank Eduardo advised Reuters he had booked a flight for March 21 and wouldn't transfer from the embassy gates till he had readability on his journey plans.
"Right here they are saying on tv that they need orderly migration, and that nobody jumps in a ship (to succeed in the U.S.)," mentioned Eduardo. "That´s what we wish, orderly migration, and we want a response. This isn't a recreation."
Most of these Reuters spoke with on the embassy most well-liked to not specify the explanations for his or her journey.
The same choice by neighboring Costa Rica to impose a transit visa requirement on Cubans prompted a whole lot to assemble at that nation´s embassy in Havana late in February.
Cuba's economic system has been battered by mounting U.S. sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Widespread shortages of meals and medication have spurred the rising wave of migration.
Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Additonal reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama Metropolis; Modifying by David Gregorio, Shri Navaratnam and Chris Reese
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