Bloomberg Line – The US government announced this on Tuesday Visa restrictions for operators operating charter flights from Cuba and Haiti to Nicaragua, endangering migrants.
The announcement is part of a promise from President Joe Biden’s administration take strong action against those who are enabling an unprecedented wave of Cuban and Haitian migrants using Nicaragua as a stepping stone to the United States.
The State Department statement did not specify who would be prevented from traveling to the United States, but Brian A. Nichols, undersecretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, said: “This is the case.” one of several ongoing measures to protect migrants and to put an end to this abusive practice.”
Until recently, the Nicaraguan government was led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo had enabled the arrival of 31,000 people from Haiti on 260 charter flightsall en route to the southern border, the Associated Press reported.
Travel to Nicaragua They are usually operated by travel agencies In the case of Cuban migrants, they sell tickets in Hialeah, Florida.
After securing the charter flights, They charge passengers thousands of dollars for a one-way trip from Havana to Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua.
After arrival, The Nicaraguan government requires passengers to have a tourist cardThis also includes landing fees, which can cost at least $10,000 per aircraft.
The Miami Herald reported that Nicaragua has long been used by Cubans as a bridge to get to the United States The Venezuelan state airline Conviasa offers charter flights from Havana to Managua to reach the US-Mexico border.
But in recent months the flow of refugees has expanded to include tens of thousands of Haitians after Ortega suspended visa requirements for citizens of the crisis country. Pay more than $4,000 per personHaitians boarded flights from Haiti’s two international airports, as well as from the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands. When they arrived in Managua, they paid smugglers to facilitate their journey north to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The State Department urges Haitian migrants, Cubans and others interested in emigrating to “consider one of the many safe and legal options available.” For more information about legal options, visit https://movilidadsegura.org/.