The National Migration Service (SNM) of Panama announced the temporary suspension of the online processing of stamped visas for foreign nationals of Cuban nationality, arguing "vulnerabilities" in the computer system used.
The official statement from the entity indicates that the measure will be extended at least for the remainder of July, during which the process through which Cubans usually requested appointments in order to obtain that type of visa will be disabled.
Roger Mojica, the new director of the SNM, stated that the institution is committed to transparency in these procedures and emphasized the importance of complying with the country's immigration laws, "always respecting human rights."
The statement released clarifies that, once the technical issue has been resolved, Cuban applicants will be able to resume the process to obtain the Stamped Visa at the main headquarters of the SNM, in the Panamanian capital.
He adds that the measure aims to ensure a safe migration process in compliance with current regulations, ensuring that all requests are handled properly once the system is restored.
Mandatory transit visa for Cubans
In January of this year, the government of Panama had extended until July 31 of this year the mandatory transit visa requirement for Cuban travelers making a stopover in that country, which came into effect in March 2022.
In the decree promulgated in December 2022, Panamanian authorities established that only the visa holder is allowed to stay in the international transit area of the airport for 24 hours.
At the time, the decision was due to "the increase in cases of passengers of Cuban nationality admitted or rejected by the destination country, which is causing inconveniences at the immigration control checkpoints on Panamanian territory."
Since it came into force, people traveling to Cuba have been exempt from needing a transit visa if they have a valid tourist visa or residence permit from the Republic of Panama and possess a current residence permit or multiple-entry visa that was previously used in the issuing country, with a validity of at least six months at the time of transit, duly granted by a list of countries that include the U.S. and the European community.
Panama is one of the destinations that Cubans traditionally used to migrate to the United States through the irregular route in Central America.
At the beginning of May this year, the president-elect of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, promised to close the border crossing in the Darién jungle with Colombia as a measure to control the migratory crisis.
Last week, the National Border Service (Senafront) of the Republic of Panama announced the closure of at least three border crossings commonly used by migrants traveling through the dangerous Darien jungle on their way to Colombia and ultimately to the United States.
In addition to being a transit route to the United States, it is important to highlight that the Colón Free Trade Zone continues to be a tourist and commercial attraction for Cubans, with over 15,042 visitors in 2023.
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