The Spanish government has confirmed the opening of new general consulates in Cuba, a measure aimed at improving assistance for Spanish citizens and descendants of Spaniards on the Island.
The news was revealed by Xavier Martí, second vice president of the General Council of Spanish Citizens Abroad and Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation of Spain, on April 2nd.
This expansion responds to the increasing demand for services at the diplomatic mission in Havana, especially following the enactment of the Law of Democratic Memory (LMD or Law of Grandchildren), as users report irregularities and delays in essential procedures such as obtaining visas, nationality, or civil registry processes.
The opening of a new diplomatic representation—though it's unclear whether it will be in Camagüey or Santiago de Cuba, which were options considered years ago—could be beneficial for optimizing consular services and reducing wait times.
It seems that a proposal put forward in 2019 is finally coming to fruition, when Ángeles Moreno, the then Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, stated that there were plans to open a second consulate in Cuba.
Initially, Santiago de Cuba was considered the ideal city for the new headquarters, but then the decision was made to choose Camagüey, in the center of the island, in order to more effectively serve a larger portion of the population that often has to travel long distances to access consulate services in Havana.
Digitalization of consular procedures
Spain is also implementing a series of technological reforms aimed at streamlining and modernizing consular services. One of these is the Dicireg platform, which allows obtaining certificates from the Consular Civil Registry digitally, and is operational in 81 consular offices worldwide.
Although the General Consulate of Spain in Havana announced on March 25 that the new model was now available, the tool has not yet been widely implemented for applicants of the LMD.
The lack of access to the new system and the limited official communication from the Consulate have created a state of uncertainty and helplessness among the descendants of Spaniards on the Island.
According to data presented by Martí, as of February 28, 2025, nearly 678,000 citizenship applications had been received across the consular network, with a total of 320,000 approved cases. Additionally, over 200,000 registrations have been made in the consular civil registries.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Opening of New Spanish Consulates in Cuba
Why has Spain decided to open new consulates in Cuba?
Spain has decided to open new consulates in Cuba to improve services for Spanish citizens and descendants of Spaniards on the Island. This decision responds to the increasing demand for consular procedures and services, such as nationality and registration in civil registries, and aims to decentralize the services that are currently concentrated in Havana.
Where will the new Spanish consulates be located in Cuba?
Although it was initially considered to be in Santiago de Cuba, the new consulate will be located in Camagüey. The distribution of the Spanish colony has advised locating it in the center of the Island, which will benefit residents in the central and eastern provinces, who currently have to travel long distances to carry out paperwork in Havana.
How is Spain improving consular services in Cuba?
Spain is improving consular services in Cuba by opening new consulates and implementing digital systems like the Dicireg platform. This platform facilitates the online acquisition of certificates from the Consular Civil Registry and is being gradually rolled out across the consular network to make procedures more efficient and accessible.
What is the Democratic Memory Law and how does it affect Cubans of Spanish descent?
The Law of Democratic Memory, also known as the "Grandchildren's Law," allows descendants of Spaniards to apply for Spanish nationality. This law establishes two scenarios: grandchildren of Spaniards who have not lost their Spanish nationality can opt for it, and descendants of Spaniards who lost it can recover it under certain requirements. The high demand generated by this law has increased the workload at the Consulate of Spain in Havana.
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