Government to move Cuban immigrants to Panama City

PANAMA’S government has  received a wake up call to  address the situation facing Cuban immigrants  existing under conditions approaching human rights violations in Puerto Obaldia.

The immigrants arrived from South America and are trying to reach the United States.

“We are looking for a way to get them out as soon as possible,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Max José López Cornejo.

He told La Prensa  that the government is examining different options for dealing with the situation.

“We are concerned about respecting the human rights of the immigrants, because many are women and children,” he said,

The official said that there are plans to transfer them to Panama City.

Cuban immigrants have been arriving in Puerto Obaldia for over a year. But a decision by Nicaraguan authorities to limit the number who can enter that country on their way north,  has caused a logjam of Panama is only allowing 17 people a day to leave the area and with over 1,200 stranded, and more arriving daily, it could mean weeks of waiting.

The large number  of immigrants have strained the resources of the community, raising concerns about the spread of disease.

Lopez Cornejo said that the number of Cuban immigrants seeking to go to the United States has increased due to improving relations between the two countries.