October 4, 2007
MEXICO CITY (AP) - A sharp increase in the number of Cubans crossing
into the U.S. via Mexico requires a new immigration accord between
Mexico and the communist-run island, Cuba's ambassador to Mexico said
Tuesday.
Manuel Aguilera de la Paz told reporters that such an agreement is one
of the few remaining issues that needs to be resolved before the two
countries can improve relations, which have been strained in recent years.
Aguilera de la Paz said both Mexico and Cuba want migration to be
"legal, orderly and not dangerous for immigrants."
In a new trend, more Cubans -- about 10,000 in the past year -- are now
illegally entering the United States by traveling to Mexico and then
north to the U.S. border, compared with the 7,693 that tried to reach
Florida directly in the same period, according to Sean Murphy, consul
general at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
The U.S. has a so-called wet-foot/dry-foot policy that calls for most
Cubans intercepted at sea to be repatriated while those who reach
American soil may stay and seek U.S. residency. Cuban migrants detained
for entering Mexico illegally are also often allowed to stay, with many
using the country as a way station before heading north to the U.S. border.
While the two nations maintain formal diplomatic ties, relations between
Mexico and Havana deteriorated under former Mexican President Vicente
Fox, who criticized Cuba's human rights record. Both countries recalled
their respective ambassadors for a few months in 2004, and relations
have been tense ever since.
President Felipe Calderon has said he wants to normalize relations with
Cuba, and Aguilera de la Paz said the Mexican leader could visit the
island once full ties have been restored.
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