Unintended consequences of “smart diplomacy,”
Nicaragua said thousands of Cubans forced their way into its territory from Costa Rica on Sunday, accusing its southern neighbor of “deliberately and irresponsibly” flooding it with US-bound migrants.
The accusation came after Costa Rica said Saturday it was giving temporary visas to a group of about 1,000 stranded, penniless Cubans, telling them they had one week to cross the country and continue their journey toward the United States.
Daniel Ortega, long-time buddy of Fidel Castro, is not happy. The Cubans were dispersed with tear gas.
Ortega’s regime has been known to boast that there are few Nicaraguans among the Central Americans flooding into the U.S.
What does this have to do with “smart diplomacy”?
There has been a surge in Cubans seeking to reach the United States since the two Cold War foes announced a historic rapprochement last December, raising expectations that Washington may soon end its policy of granting residency to Cuban immigrants who reach its shores.
And open borders?
Cubans seeking to leave the communist island for the United States are increasingly traveling overland through Central America and Mexico rather than risk crossing the Florida Straits by boat.
The migrants stranded in Costa Rica had flown from Cuba to Ecuador before working their way up through Colombia and Panama.
Costa Rica said last Tuesday it had dismantled a human trafficking ring that was charging Cubans $7,000 to $15,000 to send them to the United States.
Where’s that money coming from?
(h/t J.C.)
