Pilar Cancela Rodríguez, Secretary of State for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spainassured in Havana that his government will support the processing of applications for Spanish nationality by the new Democratic Memory Law (LMD).
In a meeting with descendants of Spaniards, in which the Spanish ambassador to the island, Ángel Martín Peccis, also participated, the official explained that an “emergency plan” has been established to equip the consulates of the Iberian country in other nations, including Cuba, with better human and material conditions to process applications.
In addition, he conveyed words of encouragement to those who were unable to obtain Spanish nationality by virtue of Law 52/2007 or the Historical Memory Law, approved during the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (PSOE), in accordance with a published note in The International Region.
Yesterday was a great day ?. Meeting with the Spanish community in Havana. We are talking about the repeal of the requested vote and nationality for [email protected] (Democratic Memory Law). Emotion. Thank you, thank you very much on behalf of @PSOE and the government of @sanchezcastejon . We continue! @PSOEexterior ? pic.twitter.com/HZdWwszUhI
— Pilar Cancela/❤️ (@PiliCancela) December 4, 2022
Before the direction of the Council of Resident Spaniards (CRE) in Cuba and the Federation of Spanish Societies of Cuba (FSEC), Cancela Rodríguez said that work has been done on the LMD for five years and there is concern in the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “the expectations that are generated are frustrated.”
He also announced that the Spanish embassy in Havana is working to open a consulate in the province of Camagüey, which can facilitate attention to the avalanche of requests that is expected.
The diplomat commented that “this is a law of the Spanish courts addressed to Spanish citizens” and that, although each country has its specific circumstances and conditions, there is also diplomatic and consular representation in each country to resolve them.
“Any doubt and uncertainty must be resolved, because we are taking the first steps and each country has its own circumstances that will be resolved with political dialogue, seeking a solution,” said Cancela Rodríguez.
In this sense, Ambassador Peccis reported on the holding of a first meeting with the Minister of Justice of Cuba to analyze the required documentation and that there is coordination between the teams of both institutions.
In turn, he assured that the Spanish consulate and embassy in the Cuban capital are fully coordinated with the CRE and the FSEC to answer “any question or request” and are able to meet the needs of older people who have difficulties with new technologies, the route by which the request must be made and the procedures completed.
During the meeting, Pilar Cancela specified that there will be an explicit response to all requests, since it is a “fundamental right”, which is the acquisition of nationality, and asserted that the will of the Spanish administration is that it be so.
He also pointed out that the Spanish authorities have not appreciated any negative perception or willingness to hinder the requests on the part of the Cuban government, “quite the opposite.”
The law that would give Spanish nationality to thousands of Cubans enters into force
In accordance with the Eighth General Provision of the LMD, which entered into force on October 21 with the aim of reparation for the victims of Francoism and their descendants, a large group of residents outside of Spain, including thousands of Cubans, have the right to opt for Spanish nationality in the case of meeting the requirements set forth in the regulations.
Among those who can benefit from this option are the children and grandchildren of Spaniards of origin, or those who lost their nationality after being exiled during the period of the government headed by General Francisco Franco in the Iberian nation.
The children of Spanish women who lost their nationality due to having married foreigners, and the older children of those who have acquired nationality, can also access Spanish citizenship, both by the LMD and by the Historical Memory Law approved in 2007.
Likewise, those children who, being minors, agreed to a nationality by option when their parents became Spanish through the 2007 regulation, will now have the opportunity to change their status to a nationality of origin, and access its benefits.
The new rule will be in force for two years, and there is the possibility of extending it for another year if the Council of Ministers of the Spanish executive considers it so.
In the meeting, Cancela Rodríguez also referred to the law that annuls the requested vote and its benefits for the Spanish community abroad.
Given the expressions of gratitude from the descendants of Spaniards on the island, the official stressed that “who should feel proud to have people like you and like you is Spain.”
“What we do we owed to you, you don’t have to thank for anything. It is a right that you had more than enough to acquire, not only for yourselves, but also for your ancestors, for your parents, for your grandparents, and for the immense affection and love that you have always shown for Spain. And what Spain has to do is respond to the same extent, ”he said.
