In response to a significant exodus of migrants to the United States, Cuba announced on Tuesday a series of measures aimed at easing restrictions on its citizens living abroad. The communist-run nation has been grappling with an unprecedented surge in emigration, leading the government to take steps to address the situation. The Cuban foreign ministry revealed that passports for Cubans over the age of 16 will now be valid for 10 years, an extension from the previous six-year validity period. Additionally, the costs associated with renewing travel documents outside the country will be reduced by more than half.
Moreover, the ministry eliminated a requirement that Cubans pay a fee every two years, even if their passports were not due for renewal, in order to maintain their active status. These changes are set to be implemented on July 1 and are aimed at fostering stronger ties with the Cuban community abroad, according to Ernesto Soberon, the director of Consular Affairs for the Cuban Foreign Ministry. For decades, Cuba had imposed strict limitations on emigration, causing frustrations among many Cubans living abroad who faced bureaucratic hurdles and exorbitant fees to maintain connections and renew travel documents with their home country.
Last year, the United States Customs and Border Patrol reported that over 300,000 Cubans arrived at the US border, marking a record-breaking exodus fueled by an unprecedented economic crisis on the island. The ongoing migration has placed additional strain on Cuba’s already fragile economy, which is on the verge of collapse. It has also resulted in the separation of numerous families, scattering them across different parts of the world. By implementing these new measures, Cuba aims to alleviate some of the hardships faced by its citizens living abroad and foster a closer bond with the diaspora.