This week, the United States government formally imposed sanctions on those who facilitate charter flights to Nicaragua and illegal emigration to their country.
In a statement from the State Department, they announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at people managing charter flights to Nicaragua that are primarily intended for irregular migrants.
The measures primarily affect “owners, officers and/or senior officials of companies operating these types of flights” who are denied visas “pursuant to INA 212(a)(3)(C).”
The U.S. government’s response – late for many – has begun to have an impact on flights from Cuba to Nicaragua.
The Dominican company Air Century announced the cancellation of its flights as well as Sky High, sources confirmed to 14 y Medio.
However, the Cuban company for airports and airport services, ECASA SA, assured that “Sky High continues to operate so far” and recommended those who want to “know the frequencies” to contact the Holguín airport transmitter.
In this sense, journalist Daniel Benítez reported on his YouTube channel that “currently Conviasa and Aruba Airlines are the only two that operate these flights.”
RESTRICTIONS ON FLIGHTS FROM CUBA TO NICARAGUA
Another direct consequence of the new measures is the significant increase in fares. Benítez referred to figures between “$2,500 and $3,000.” A report by América TeVe now puts it at between $1,800 and $4,000.
Daniel Benítez believes it is possible that the next airline to announce cuts will be Aruba Airlines, “because, unlike Conviasa, it has flights and a station in Miami and they obviously do not want to have any problems with the United States government.” not “They want to lose the Miami route.”
In any case, we must continue to closely follow the official information on this issue to know how badly it will affect flights between Cuba and Nicaragua, which have caused Cuban airports to be overcrowded following the introduction of visa-free travel.
U.S. government figures suggest that nearly half a million Cubans have arrived at the country’s borders in the past two years.
For those responsible for the island, the reasons that motivate the continued illegal emigration to the United States include the benefits received by Cubans who enter this country illegally and the validity of the Adjustment Act that gives them special status.
For the United States, the Cuban government has been unable to guarantee the well-being and rights of its people, which has created a climate of discontent and hopelessness.