LA CRUZ (Costa Rica), Nov 18: A protest by desperate Cuban migrants stranded on their journey to the United States has paralyzed a key border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Long lines of buses and trucks formed on both sides of the Central American border yesterday as the migrants refused to let traffic pass, authorities from the two countries said.
“The international transport of passengers and cargo remains paralyzed” at the Penas Blancas border post, the Nicaraguan government said, warning of disruptions to trade and transport “for the entire Central American region.”
A spokesman for Costa Rica’s immigration authority confirmed the blockage.
More than 2,000 Cubans are stuck at the border, penniless and without immigration papers.
Many were stranded when Costa Rica busted a human trafficking ring that was charging USD 7,000 to USD 15,000 to smuggle them into the United States.
They are part of a growing surge in Cubans trying to reach the United States since Washington and Havana announced a thaw in their Cold War-era standoff last December.
For Cubans looking to leave the communist island, the rapprochement has sparked fears that the US policy of granting asylum to Cuban arrivals may be near an end.
Rather than risk the trip by boat across the Florida Straits, where the US Coast Guard can send them back, many now fly to Ecuador, which does not require visas for Cuban nationals.
Then they work their way north, overland and by boat.
In Santa Cruz, on the Costa Rican side of the border, the increasingly desperate Cubans are being housed in churches, community centers and gyms.
They pass the time sprawled on mattresses on the shelter floors or drinking coffee served from large green buckets by volunteers.
Many described being trapped in limbo, uncertain of their fate.
“I don’t think Nicaragua is going to open its doors to us. We don’t know what’s going to happen to us. We could be here five days, 10 days, but I don’t think we can take much more,” said Yordani Garcia, 32.
He is determined not to go back. “Things in Cuba aren’t getting any better. On the contrary, they’re getting worse,” he said.
Santa Cruz community leaders have mobilized to take in the stranded migrants with the help of government funds. But the Cubans are all too aware of the burden they pose.
“We don’t know if we’ll be able to stay much longer. It’s a big expense for Costa Rica,” said Dayana Gonzalez, 28, who is traveling with her eight-year-old daughter, her sister and two nieces, aged eight and 10.
Costa Rica called for an urgent meeting of foreign ministers along the Cubans’ route, from Ecuador to Mexico. (AGENCIES)
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