Departure Cuban refugees from Costa Rica

- The departure of the first Cuban refugees stranded in Costa Rica in large numbers, is forthcoming. The first flight leaves next Tuesday, declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central American country.

The 180 asylum seekers fly to El Salvador, from where they are transported further by bus to the border between Guatemala and Mexico. The intention is that they then travel to the US, as they want to.

In Costa Rica, the number of Cuban refugees stranded in November rose to an estimated 000. 8. They want to the US, but were held to date in this mission, because neighboring Nicaragua had closed the border to refugees. It lies on the route to the final destination.

Recently, a solution was found to the problem. Several Central American countries agreed to carry the refugees would be put on a trial by plane to El Salvador, to be then overland to the Mexican border.

The wave of refugees is likely to have a reaction to the better relationship the US and Cuba. Cubans fear that by the restored diplomatic ties soon not get as easily as before a residence permit for the USA. A special law passed in 1966, under which Cubans who illegally enter the country is still able to settle in the US, may be revoked.