MIAMI, United States. – Around 35 Cubans are being held at the “Nikola Tesla” International Airport in Belgrade, Serbianfor more than a week in deplorable conditions, according to a media report OnCuba.
During their detention at the air terminal, the Cubans have received little food and no information about their future. “We arrived in Serbia on Wednesday, March 8; but they denied us entry to the country because, according to them, we are possible immigrants. They only allowed women with children and some elderly people to pass,” said one of the Cubans detained to OnCubavia WhatsApp.
“They locked us in a room with four bunk beds, in the days that followed they continued to lock up Cubans,” he explained. “In my room we are already 11; that is, there are more than there should be. Several sleep on the floor or sharing the same bed. They have gone up to 24 hours without giving us food (consisting of bread and water, plus a tiny cereal). We have been eating only that for days, which they bring us only twice a day.”
The source, identified by the media as JR, also assured that his trip had become a nightmare since he was denied entry to the country because they were considered possible immigrants.
According to JR, the group has tried to speak to the authorities, but they have been ignored. “We have tried to talk, and nothing. We pay our return ticket if necessary; It doesn’t matter. But we don’t even have anyone to tell. We’ve been here for a week and every day we’re getting weaker.”
Relatives and friends of the detainees have also tried to contact the airport authorities and the Cuban consulate in Belgrade, but so far they have received no response.
Speaking to OnCuba, Rosa María Nasch, recounted: “Two of my relatives, like many others, arrived in Serbia on the 10th of this month. They also put them in a room, without even a bed, with poor hygienic conditions and food, they only give them bread and water. No right to defense or communication.
Although Serbia and Cuba maintain a free visa agreement, the border authorities of the European country decide whether or not each traveler is allowed to enter. During the last months, an increase in the number of Cubans arriving in Belgrade by different means has been reported, many of them with the intention of staying and residing in Serbia or crossing borders to reach Italy or Spain.
