The Diocesan Historical Archive of Ourense has detected a concerning black market for counterfeit documents in Cuba for the processing of Spanish nationality under the Democratic Memory Law, popularly known as the Grandchildren's Law.
Pablo Cid, head of the Diocesan Archive, explained that while in Spain these certificates cost just about 10 euros, in Cuba they can sell for amounts ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 euros.
“At first, we didn’t know why they required the documents from Cuba to be signed by the vicar, but we soon discovered that they were falsifying our documents,” Cid explained in statements to the program "En Portada" on Telemiño.
The Diocesan Archive receives an average of 50 requests for information daily, mainly from Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. Descendants of immigrants from Ourense of the second and third generation seek documentation to prove their ancestry and access Spanish nationality.
An opportunity to emigrate and escape the crisis
For thousands of Cubans, obtaining Spanish citizenship represents a way out of the economic crisis that is plaguing the island. However, the high demand and pressure to obtain documents before the deadline, set for October 22, 2025, have led to a clandestine business and the emergence of middlemen profiting from the process.
“Мы знаем, что юридические фирмы действуют только как посредники. Мы берем 10 евро за документ, но они могут взимать до 300 евро,” - заявил Пабло Сид.
The challenges of document search
The Diocesan Historical Archive of Ourense preserves over 12,000 parish books, some of which are more than five centuries old. However, the search for records poses challenges: the lack of preservation, fires in churches, and documents that have not yet been transferred to the archives complicate the process.
This file is a valuable resource for genealogical research and local history, containing records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and other vital documents for processing Spanish citizenship.
Cuba, among the countries with the most requests
Juan Manuel de Hoz, spokesperson for the Center of Descendants of United Spaniards (CeDEU), pointed out that around 300,000 Cubans are currently registered at the consulate to process their nationality.
Cuba is, along with Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Rosario, one of the locations with the highest volume of applications. As of December 31, 2023, the consular network received 226,354 applications from Cubans, of which 110,540 were approved and 69,421 registrations completed.
Possible continuation of the process beyond October
Although the deadline for submitting applications is October 22, experts consulted by the portal InfoCivitano assure that those who secure an appointment will be able to complete their processes until 2028, thanks to a digital platform that will facilitate management.
However, this measure does not imply an extension of the deadline, but rather a guarantee that those who have started the process can complete it without being excluded due to a lack of appointments or resources.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grandchildren's Law and Document Fraud in Cuba
What irregularities have been detected in Cuba regarding the Law of Grandchildren?
A black market for counterfeit documents has been detected in Cuba for the processing of Spanish nationality under the Grandchildren's Law. The documents, which cost 10 euros in Spain, are being sold in Cuba for amounts between 2,000 and 3,000 euros. These irregularities have raised alarms for the Spanish authorities, who are now monitoring the process more closely.
Why is the demand for Spanish nationality so high in Cuba?
For thousands of Cubans, obtaining Spanish citizenship is a way out of the economic crisis that the island is experiencing. The Grandchildren's Law provides the opportunity to emigrate legally and access better living conditions, which has led to an increase in demand and, consequently, issues such as the trafficking of fake documents.
What is the deadline for submitting applications under the Grandparents' Law?
The deadline for submitting applications is until October 22. However, those who manage to obtain an appointment before this date will be able to complete their processes until 2028. This extension does not imply an extension of the deadline, but rather a guarantee that those who begin the procedure will not be excluded due to a lack of resources or appointments.
How does the lack of preservation of documents in the Ourense Diocesan Archive affect it?
The lack of preservation and the fires have complicated the search for records in the Diocesan Archive of Ourense, which is crucial for the processing of Spanish citizenship. The archive holds more than 12,000 parish books, some over five centuries old, making it a valuable resource for genealogical research.
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