Havana, December 16 (RHC)--Mexico returned 77 irregular Cuban migrants on Thursday as part of the agreements between the two countries, bringing to 291 the number of people returning from that nation by this mechanism.

These individuals are not repatriated, they have not violated any immigration law, they left Cuba legally and joined Mexico the irregular flow to the United States, explained the authorities.

According to Lázaro Delgado, the second director of the island's General Directorate of Identification, Immigration, and Alien Affairs, this is the fourth operation carried out with Mexico.

Upon their arrival, they underwent a PCR to detect Covid-19, and then they were transferred to their respective provinces, he said.

Delgado emphasized that in 2021 there is a notable increase in irregular immigration and returns.

According to official figures, in 2020, 154 people were returned, while this year, the figure reached 1,441.

Cuba reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe, orderly, and regular migratory flows, even during Covid-19, and denounced the hostile policy of the United States in this regard.