Guyana And Cuba Hold Meeting To Discuss Immigration Issues

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 12, 2019 (CMC) – Guyana is being asked to consider abolishing the non-visa requirement for Cuban nationals, wanting to visit the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

A government statement, issued following a second meeting on migration matters between the two countries, said that a request had been made, by Havana, on the matter.

“The two countries met for the first time on the matter in 2016. The Cuban government has asked Guyana to abolish the non-visa requirement for Cuban nationals. This essentially means, if this request is agreed to, and steps put in place, Cubans wishing to come to Guyana would need a visa. To date, only Venezuelan and Russian nationals require a visa to enter Guyana,” the statement said.

It quoted Ernesto Soberon Guzman, Director of the Division of Consular Affairs and Cuban Resident Abroad, as saying that his country is doing this, not to stop Cubans from coming to Guyana, but instead, to ensure a smooth and legal flow of traffic.

“Our objective is to get a regular and orderly flow of migrants, between our two countries,” he added.

Guyana’s Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, said Cuba’s request has been taken into consideration, and all efforts will be made to support that country’s migratory flow.

He said Cuba has also requested that government share information, relating to applications for refugee status, by Cuban nationals, as well as travel information for Cubans, passing through Guyana.

“This discussion commenced in 2016, when I visited Cuba, so the two days of discussion, here, must be seen as a continuation… matters discussed had to do with the need to abolish the non-visa requirements for Cubans arriving in Guyana… the Cuban government made the request,”  Felix said, adding that this matter is under discussion.

The statement quoted Felix as giving Cubans the assurance that they would not be singled out or mistreated in any way.

“They will be treated well and welcomed, like all other Caribbean nationals coming to Guyana.”

Guyana and Cuba established diplomatic relations on December 8, 1972.