Quito, November 27 (RHC)-- As part of the measures being taken by countries in the region to resolve irregular migration flows, the Government of Ecuador has decided to establish a visa requirement for tourism and transient citizens of Cuba beginning December 1st.

Ecuadorean Deputy Foreign Minister Xavier Lasso, at a press conference in Quito at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, told reporters that the visa requirement would be "an exceptional opportunity to protect Cuban citizens, their rights and prevent them from falling into the hands of the mafias."

The Ecuadorean deputy foreign minister said the aim of requiring visas for Cubans is to contain the migratory flow that has been created on the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. And he added that the problem is not Ecuadorean laws, but U.S. policies toward Cuba -- referring to the Cuban Adjustment Act and the so-called "wet feet, dry feet" policy.