Panama again this Friday postponed, this time until March 16, the transit visa requirement for Cubans, after three days of protests by victims in front of its embassy in Havana.
To the just like what happened on thursdaya day after the surrounding streets were taken by more than a thousand people who saw their trip affected by the new decision of the Panamanian authorities, the diplomatic headquarters, located in the Miramar neighborhood, was on Friday surrounded by a strong police operation that prevented passersby from passing.
According to this newspaper, for the second consecutive day the internet service was suspended throughout the area.
On Friday afternoon, officials from the embassy and the provincial government of Havana summoned the international press to announce that, finally, the transit visa, established as mandatory from this Sunday after the first day of complaints, will begin to be requested. to travelers next Wednesday.
According to resolution 49/18 of the Government of Panama, the second secretary of the Panamanian embassy in Havana, Abdiel García, explained to the media, the transit visa obligation for Cuban nationals will enter into force on Tuesday, March 15 “at 11:59 p.m.”.
The reading of the new resolution, reports Efe, did not leave many of those gathered in front of the embassy satisfied, but García did not answer their questions and left after reading the statement aloud.
This newspaper confirmed police surveillance in the offices of the Panamanian airline Copa, both in Miramar and El Vedado.
The coordinator of the provincial government of Havana, Orestes Llanes, told the people gathered before the legation that it is a “sovereign decision” of Panama, but that the Cuban government is trying to see “how much more flexible it can be” to minimize the damage .
He also asked the concentrated to return to their homes and remain attentive to the announcements of the Panamanian Government.
Similarly, this newspaper confirmed police surveillance at the offices of the Panamanian airline Copa, both in Miramar and El Vedado, where they wrote down the travelers for this Saturday and tomorrow on a list.
Hundreds of people surrounded the Embassy of Panama in Havana from early Wednesday morning, shortly after the news broke that the country had begun to require transit visas from Cubans. The Police had to evacuate the surroundings and form a cordon to prevent the crowd from approaching.
Among those who had gathered in front of the consular headquarters, 14ymedio found people, crying and shouting, who had purchased tickets and who did not know if they would be able to travel.
The measure affects all citizens who planned to fly to Nicaragua via Panama with Copa, the only airline that maintains a connection between the Island and Managua and which, since November, has become the main land exit route to the United States.
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