The need to ensure a regular, orderly and safe flow of travelers marked here today the fifth round of migration talks between Panama and Cuba, also focused on fighting human trafficking.
In this regard, Ernesto Soberon, general director of Consular Affairs and Cuban Residents Abroad of the Foreign Ministry of the island, stressed the importance of exchange and cooperation on this issue, since many illegal migrants are victims of criminal gangs during their trip.
Therefore, he reiterated the willingness and interest of the Cuban authorities to study any type of collaboration in this regard, which was approved by his Panamanian counterpart through the director of the National Migration Service, Samira Gozaine.
The official said that the current administration leads a fight against irregular migration, especially the one arriving through the Darien jungle, on the border with Colombia, aggravated by the delicate health condition of those who enter the country after a trip through the inhospitable jungle.
During his speech, he referred to the high costs which go with the care in shelters enabled for the reception of the irregular migrants, the possibility of signing new collaboration agreements and the changes to be introduced to the immigration law.
Meanwhile, Soberon listed some of the obstacles that Cuban citizens face today to travel legally and directly to the United States.
He insisted that one of the key elements to understand the measures taken by Cuba in its immigration law is the politicization of the United States on this issue, as a way to attack the island and mount media campaigns of discredit to its political and social system.
As a result of the talks, the next immigration round will be held in Havana in early 2021, although during the previous period there will be contacts, visits and information exchange, which will allow progress in the agreements adopted at this meeting. (https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=51457&SEO=cuba-and-panama-agree-on-regular-orderly-and-safe-migration)
