The 256 Haitian migrants who remained in Cuba after land ten days ago on the coasts of the central province of Villa Clara They returned to their country of origin this Saturday, official media reported.
The Haitians returned on six flights between Friday and Saturday from the Abel Santamaría international airport in the city of Santa Clara “in compliance with international commitments,” accurate this Saturday the state agency Latin Press (PL).
The director of the Red Cross in Villa Clara, Miguel Fernández, said that since their arrival on May 24 “the migrants received the necessary attention, including medical assistance,” while Milaxys Sánchez, deputy governor of the province, highlighted the solidarity of the migrants. inhabitants of the town of Corralillo, territory where the facility that housed the Haitians is located.
Cuba: Repatriation of Haitian Migrants Arriving Through Villa Clara Begins
The boat capsized on May 24 off the coast of the municipality of Caibarién, north of Villa Clara when trying to reach the United States. More than 800 people from Haiti were traveling on it, who received medical care and humanitarian aid from the Cuban authorities.
The large group of irregular migrants was located in one of the Sierra Morena camps, in Corralillo, where they continued to be treated, while the Cuban government contacted the Haitian government to ensure the repatriation of these people to their country, in accordance with the agreements conventions on migration of which Cuba is a signatory.
This is the second large operation so far this year, since in February about 300 Haitians arrived in the also central Cuban province of Ciego de Ávila after being diverted from their route by the wind.
The shortest distance between Haiti and the United States is 950 kilometers. According to official data, from 2001 to 2021, only to the Cuban province of Guantánamo, in the east of the Island, a total of 76 boats arrived with more than 4,000 irregular migrants.
