Havana, October 16 (RHC)-- The director general of Consular Affairs and Cubans Residing Abroad at the Foreign Ministry says Cuban citizens' trips overseas grew by more than 20 percent in the first eight months of this year.

In an interview with Prensa Latina news agency, Ernesto Soberon said that between January 1 and August 30, 519,000 Cuban nationals made 889,000 trips to other countries, which represents a comparative increase of 22 and 23 percent over the same period in 2018.

The diplomat noted that the number of destinations to which Cubans travel has also diversified.

Although the number of nationals traveling abroad grows, Soberon said the number of those who leave the country to settle permanently in other nations is decreasing.

On the other hand, the number of nationals residing a broad who are requesting to resettle on the island has also increased, reaching 57,000 between 2013 and 2019, most of them (36,000) from citizens living in the United States.

The statements made by the head of Consular Affairs and Cubans Resident Overseas, were made in connection with the 4th Regional Meeting of Cubans Resident in Latin America and the Caribbean, that will take place from October 18-20 held this week in Mexico City.