QCOSTARICA – In a message sent to Cuban migrants stranded in the country, President Luis Guillermo Solis, denied that the Government of Costa Rica will negotiate with Cuba next week, a forced return of the Cuban migrants stranded in the country.
In the video message of more than eight minutes on published on YouTube, Solis said that the Government of Costa Rica is focused on finding a solution to this humanitarian crisis.
In the message, Solis says he is disappointed and regrets the lack of solidarity of the members of SICA in allowing the migrants passage through their territory, to their final destination, the United States. The President added he does not understand why Nicaragua closed its the borders to Cubans.
“I am disappointed that Guatemala and Belize, that they have prohibited the passage I am writing to you because some have concerns that the Government of Costa Rica will negotiate a forced return, however, I have to say that’s not going to happen, the return is only of Cubans who want to. The only reason a person is deported in Costa Rica, is committing a crime and that’s the law and not bad faith, “Solis said.
Solis apologized for his inability to personally visit them, assuring the Cubans they are not alone and will be treated with all the respect and dignity they deserve.
“I tell you will all my heart, your will not be abandoned, you are not alone. We are doing all necessary and to the point we can to get you on your way. This is a firm commitment,” said Solis.
The President assured the Cuban migrants his words are not only politics, he understand their situation, coming from a family of migrants, his great grandparents living through a similar situation on their arrival from Jamaica.
Guatemala Asks For Guarantees
A glimmer of hope for the Cuban migrants is now coming Guatemala, who on Wednesday said it would allow the Cubans entry to their territory on two conditions.
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales said, first his country needs a written guarantee in writing from Mexico that they will receive the Cubans. “We can not simply say come and land in Guatemala and be left stranded at the border between Guatemala and Mexico,” said Morales.
Morales added that it doesn’t want to run the risk of a conflict with Mexican border towns with the presence of thousands of Cuban migrants.
The second is guarantees of who will pay the costs generated by the migration of the Cubans in Guatemalan territory.
Solis, Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez, and 30 other officials are headed for Cuba this Sunday in a planned visit, where without question the topic of the Cuban migrants in the country will be discussed with Cuban President Raul Castro.
