According to the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa, thousands of Cubans continue to arrive in this Central American country despite North American sanctions against the businessmen behind the charter flights from Havana to Managua. In addition, they introduced a (somewhat new) entry requirement for international travelers, including Cubans.
The report shows that several airlines such as Conviasa and Aruba have published the flight schedule that they will operate between Cuba and Managua in January 2024 since the United States imposed visa restrictions on airline operators that cooperate with irregular migration.
These flights with Cubans are in addition to those of other companies that transport migrants, such as Albatros, which flies from Curaçao to Managua.
On the other hand, the Managua Augusto C. Sandino International Airport has updated its website and now displays, in the English version, the tariffs it charges for the various services it offers for private flights, including charter flights that carry passengers. There is also a new obligation to pay when entering Nicaragua, which also includes Cubans.
Cubans: Entry requirements to Nicaragua
As is known, since the end of 2021, Cubans have been able to travel to Nicaragua without a visa and use the Conviasa and Aruba flights that connect Havana with Managua.
This has led to an unprecedented wave of migration of Cubans seeking to reach the United States by land. Hundreds of thousands have done it since then. Currently, the business has expanded to other countries such as Haiti, Africa and Asia.
On the other hand, Managua International Airport has updated its website in English, displaying the prices of thirty services it offers for private flights, such as landing, parking, transportation, lighting, luggage, water and more.
In addition, he also reported a new requirement for foreigners to pay a ten dollar tourist fee upon entry, with the exception of citizens of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Therefore, Cubans must make this payment upon entry.
However, given the scale of corruption, international sources speak of an illegal practice at Augusto C. Sandino Airport of charging an arbitrary fee to migrants arriving in the country. According to two sources close to the site, travelers will have to pay between $150 and $200 for entry. In other words, you multiply the rate.