Cuban Foreign Ministry maintains contacts with Panamanian authorities

Havana, March 9 (RHC)-- The Cuban Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it remains in contact with the Panamanian embassy in Havana after the establishment of the transit visa requirement for Cuban nationals.

Ernesto Soberón, general director of Consular Affairs and Attention to Cubans residing abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the purpose of the communication is to ensure that the interests of the nationals traveling to third countries through Panama are taken care of, respecting the sovereign decision of the authorities of the Isthmian country.

In his words, broadcast on local television, the diplomat explained that the Panamanian authorities decided to establish the requirement of transit visas for Cuban nationals for three months.

According to the official communication, the measure will take effect from Sunday, March 13.

The Panamanian Embassy in Havana announced that passengers traveling before the date above would not require any visa. Still, those who have tickets between March 13 and 30 must reschedule their flight and subsequently request a transit visa.

Consular attention for transit visas will begin on Thursday, March 10, and will be attended to those who have tickets as of March 31 and so on, the decree states.

The Panamanian embassy has published in its social networks the requirements for applying for this visa, Soberon said.

Numerous Cubans gathered this Wednesday in front of the Panamanian embassy in Havana in search of clarifications for the establishment of a transit visa for the country.

Officials of the diplomatic headquarters clarified the new transit visa requirement for Cubans traveling through the Central American nation.