A citizen petition on the Change.org platform, signed by over 400 Cubans both inside and outside the country, asks the Spanish government to extend the Democratic Memory Law beyond its expected expiration date of October 2025.
The letter is addressed to King Felipe VI and the president Pedro Sánchez. The document outlines the challenges faced by the descendants of Spaniards in Cuba in benefiting from the regulation that allows the children and grandchildren of citizens originally from that country to apply for Spanish nationality.
The signatories note that the law, in effect since 2022, has been an important step forward for the recognition of historical rights, but they criticize administrative shortcomings that could exclude many applicants from the process.
Among the most prominent issues is the slow process of obtaining documents in Cuba and the bureaucratic steps at the Consulate of Havana. Additionally, the new electronic system for obtaining credentials and appointments does not function properly on the island.
“The democratic memory should not remain just on legal paper: it needs to materialize as real and equitable access to the rights it guarantees,” reads the petition, initially signed by citizen Carla Pérez. Cubans warn that in many cases, appointments disappear in seconds or digital calendars do not even open.
In Cuba, power outages, low connectivity, and a lack of automated responses from the system worsen the situation. Those who are unable to schedule an appointment before October 21, 2025 may lose the chance to submit their application, even if they have started the process correctly.
The petition also denounces the lack of resources in the consulates, the collapse in public assistance, and the alleged proliferation of the black market for credentials, where appointments are sold for hundreds of euros.
Cases of forgery of ecclesiastical documents, such as baptismal certificates, have also been reported, with amounts reaching up to 3,000 euros.
The request of the Cubans proposes four main measures: extending the validity of the law, correcting the appointment system, increasing personnel and resources in the consulates, and reaffirming the commitment to exhumations and education on historical memory.
Less than three months before the expiration of the Law of Democratic Memory, uncertainty is growing among Cubans. The Consulate of Spain in Havana has promised that the new appointment system will be operational "soon," but there is no official date, and those affected fear that the solution will come too late.
For many Cuban families, obtaining Spanish citizenship is not just a matter of paperwork, but an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and the possibility of a different future in the land of their ancestors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Law of Democratic Memory and its Impact on Cuba
Why are Cubans requesting an extension of the Law of Democratic Memory?
Cubans request an extension of the Democratic Memory Law due to the administrative and technological difficulties they face in completing the application process for Spanish nationality. These difficulties include delays in obtaining documents, issues with the appointment system at the Spanish Consulate in Havana, and failures in the new electronic system, which could leave many applicants out of the process before the deadline of October 22, 2025.
What are the main obstacles that Cubans face in obtaining Spanish nationality?
The main obstacles include the slow processing of documents in Cuba, failures in the appointment system of the Spanish Consulate in Havana, and the lack of resources at the consulates. Additionally, issues with internet connectivity in Cuba complicate the use of the new digital appointment system. These factors have led to a black market for credentials and forged documents, increasing the desperation of applicants.
What measures do Cubans propose to improve the process of applying for Spanish nationality?
Cubans propose to extend the validity of the Law of Democratic Memory, correct the appointment system, increase staff and resources in the consulates, and reaffirm the commitment to education on historical memory. These measures aim to expedite the process and ensure that more applicants can complete their applications before the deadline.
How does Cuba's economic and technological situation affect the process of nationalization?
The economic and technological situation in Cuba significantly affects the process due to low connectivity, power outages, and the need to manage documents in a digital environment that requires a good internet connection. These issues hinder access to the electronic platforms necessary to complete the naturalization procedures, increasing frustration and despair among applicants.
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