By Roberto Morejón
The resumption in 2022 of the dialogues between Cuba and the United States on migration issues represented a positive step in the midst of thorny tensions, hence the fourth round in Washington also has that effective character.
It was an opportune moment for the Cuban delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, to underscore how the impact of the extreme provisions of the blockade have repercussions on what Havana points out as an unprecedented increase in the migratory flow as of 2019.
Shortly before that, more than 240 measures had come into force to tighten the siege under the administration of then President Donald Trump, who returned the largest of the Antilles to the infamous list of countries that, according to Washington's vision, sponsor terrorism.
The combination of nefarious procedures influenced foreign currency shortages, obstacles to interbank and investment relations, fuel supplies and the arrival of foreign visitors to Cuba.
The deterioration of the standard of living is directly linked to the migration of Cubans, including irregular migration.
In other words, as Cuba stressed in Washington, there are reasons to express concern about the policies and practices that encourage irregular migration, the latter plundered by networked platforms that enjoy financial subsidies from the United States.
But not only the boycott and the unilateral list instigate the exit, as well as the privileges granted to them if they furtively enter the Northern power and the Cuban Adjustment Act, of exclusive scope for them.
There is another incentive to migration for people who would not avail themselves of this alternative if they had access to non-migrant visas at the consulate in Havana to visit their relatives, because now they must apply for them in third countries.
There is another painful fact derived from the hostility of the wealthy neighboring nation.
As a result of José Martí's land being placed on the list of supporters of terrorism, travelers in third countries have difficulties to move freely and without reprisals to the Antillean nation.
All this has been discussed thanks to this and other rounds of talks on migration issues, a solvent opportunity to address at least part of the concerns of both countries.
As in previous meetings, Cuba favored regular, safe and orderly migration in Washington.
