Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla warned on Monday about the disorder and delays in the appointment system of the Spanish Consulate General in Havana, which threaten to leave an indeterminate number of applicants without access to Spanish citizenship before the Democratic Memory Law expires in October 2025.
In a letter published on Facebook and addressed to the Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Calzadilla recalled that the law, passed in 2022, allowed thousands of Cubans to apply for Spanish citizenship, and that its expiration is less than three months away.
However, he stated that the change in the credentialing system announced in May/June of this year has created a limbo for many applicants, especially those who submitted their requests in April 2024 and have yet to receive confirmation or an appointment to submit their documentation.
“There are just over two months left until the end of the law, and this process has been long, exhausting, and expensive,” he warned.
The activist explained that, although the submission of files at the Consulate is free, many have had to pay considerable amounts for legalizations, transportation, or rentals to be able to travel to Havana in search of information about their cases.
Calzadilla noted that the vouchers and appointments from the new system are arriving in a disordered manner, both to applicants from late April and those from early April, and that even the email address set up to report issues with the previous system has been deactivated, leaving many individuals without a means to file a complaint.
As an example, he cited the case of his mother, who submitted her application on April 2, 2024, and has still not received credentials or notification of her transfer to the new appointment system.
"For some of us, this right means being able to see our parents again, whom we cannot visit due to the entry ban to Cuba for political reasons," he added.
The activist urged Spanish authorities to clarify immediately whether applicants need to reapply for credentials in the new system to avoid losing their rights before the legal deadline expires.
"We're not seeking preferential treatment over others, but we need clear instructions. The anxiety of thinking that time is running out eats away at us, and it's not due to our management that the documents have not been delivered," he warned.
Amelia Calzadilla's warning sparked a wave of support and testimonies from Cubans facing similar situations.
Yanizorro De la Vega recounted that obtaining his Spanish citizenship cost him more than 130,000 pesos and requested that the deadline for the Law of Democratic Memory be extended “given the amount of ineptitude that is not the citizens' fault,” so that all those who started the process can complete it.
Marisol González reported that her son waited a long time for the credentials, and on April 1, 2024, he received a rejection due to a formatting error in his name. He reapplied on April 2, but has not received a response yet.
“I don’t understand how the child of a Spanish citizen has to wait due to a collapsed and inefficient system… We demand respect for our rights, we demand answers,” she stated, explaining that she has been separated from another child for the same reason for three years.
For Alejandro Díaz Montes de Oca, the final question from Calzadilla's letter already has an official but insufficient answer: "They will tell you to wait, that's the only thing they know how to say."
Yaney Fariña Albelo expressed her frustration: “This is distressing; something that should be quick has turned into years of waiting… they provide information but it is not concrete. Don’t we deserve to be spoken to with the truth?”.
He reported that he has been waiting for credentials for over a year, describing the process as "laborious, costly, and exhausting."
Lismary López said she is in the same situation. She submitted the documentation on April 10, 2024, and has yet to receive a response, despite the fact that her parents and sister are already Spanish citizens.
“It’s very sad to think that we can lose everything and be just a step away from achieving something so desired,” he lamented.
Mercedes Rodríguez Alonso recalled that she experienced the first wave of citizenship applications in 2007 and that at that time the obstacles were even greater: “I waited for years and had to create and legalize documents countless times… those were indeed years of distress.”
This scenario occurs after Spain activated a new appointment system for processing nationality in Cuba, replacing the previous mechanism and raising questions about whether applicants needed to re-register to maintain their rights.
Due to delays and the risk of the legal deadline expiring, several Cubans have requested the Spanish government to extend the Law of Democratic Memory, arguing that external factors are hindering access to appointments and the submission of complete applications.
In this final stretch, many Cubans are intensifying their efforts to obtain Spanish nationality, incurring expenses for travel, legalizations, and urgent procedures, while uncertainty grows about whether they will be able to complete the process before the law expires.
Frequently Asked Questions about Appointments at the Spanish Consulate in Havana and the Law of Democratic Memory
What is the main issue with appointments at the Spanish Consulate in Havana?
The main problem is the disorder and delays in the appointment system, which threatens to deny access to Spanish citizenship for many applicants before the Democratic Memory Law expires in October 2025. Activist Amelia Calzadilla and other Cubans have denounced the lack of institutional response and the chaos in the delivery of credentials necessary to schedule appointments and continue the process.
What is the Law of Democratic Memory and when does it expire?
The Democratic Memory Law, also known as the "Grandchildren's Law," allows descendants of Spaniards to apply for Spanish citizenship. This law expires on October 22, 2025, although there is the possibility to submit the documentation physically after that date if the online application was submitted within the deadline.
How does the new appointment system affect Cuban applicants?
The new appointment system has created a limbo for many applicants, especially for those who submitted their requests before the change and have yet to receive confirmation to submit their documentation. This system, which requires good Internet connectivity, has complicated access for many Cubans due to the technological limitations on the island.
What measures has the Spanish Consulate in Havana taken to improve the situation?
The Consulate has increased the number of weekly appointments by 336 to address the high demand for procedures under the Law of Democratic Memory. In addition, a new digital system has been implemented to manage requests. However, the lack of access to this new system and the limited official communication have created uncertainty among applicants.
What challenges do Cubans face in completing their Spanish nationality procedures?
Cubans face challenges such as low Internet connectivity, delays in accessing credentials, and a black market for documents. Furthermore, the new appointment system requires real-time interaction, which is not always possible due to technological limitations in Cuba. This has created anxiety among applicants who fear being left out of the process.
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