Aruba Airlines joins the suspension of flights between Cuba and Nicaragua

Aruba Airlines It adds to the suspension of flights between Cuba and Nicaragua after the United States government announced sanctions on the owners and executives of charter flight companies that facilitate illegal migration.

“The airline Aruba joins the suspension of Cuba - Nicaragua flights. Only sold flights will operate."Telemundo 51 journalist Alexis Boentes wrote on social networks, indicating that the information was circulating in groups dedicated to the sale of those tickets.

In the comments section of his publication, Alexis Boentes reported that he contacted the airline's office in Miami and they confirmed the suspension of sales.

"Yes, it's true. I work at an agency and last night they told us to stop the sale. Only those who have already purchased their flights will leave."clarified another Internet user. However, at the moment there is still no announcement on the airline's social networks on the subject.

Dozens of Cubans were disconcerted by the news, which further limits the possibilities of those who are planning a migratory route through Central American countries until they reach the southern border of the United States.

A week ago the companyAir Century, based in the Dominican Republic, also reported the suspension of flights from Cuba to Nicaragua.

He did so shortly after the US government announcedvisa restrictions under the Immigration Law (WHERE,Immigration and Nationality Act) "against the owners, executives and senior officials of companies that offer charter flights to Nicaragua designed to be used primarily by irregular migrants to the United States",

A statement released by the State Department stated that this would be just the beginning of a series of measures against charter flight companies that "have been offering flights - and charging extortion prices - that put migrants on a dangerous land route." north, to the border with the United States."

According to the State Department, the planes of charter flight companies leave the island full of people and return without passengers, which shows that it is an action to transfer immigrants.

Most of these flights originate in South Florida, where travel agencies sell tickets and hire charter airline services to cover the route at prices that since 2021 - when Nicaragua eliminated the visa requirement for Cubans - have reached reach the exorbitant figure of 4,000 dollars per ticket.

It is feared that airlines such as the Venezuelan Conviasa, which is one of those that continue to make trips to Nicaragua, will raise ticket prices even further in the context of the worst migration crisis that the island is going through.

According toofficial figures released in the middle of this month by the Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), A total of 18,083 Cubans arrived by land and sea to the United States. only in October. This is the highest figure since December of last year.

The majority entered through the southern border of Mexico (12,495) and 28 entered through the northern land border (Canada). Added to this are another 5,000 who arrived by sea through the Strait of Florida.