A group of 17 Cubans, including two minors and an elderly person, has been stranded for several days at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, amid allegations of fraud, immigration irregularities, and a human drama that intensifies with each passing hour.
The migrants were traveling with final destinations to Nicaragua or Brazil and held tourist, work, or transit visas legally issued by the Bolivian consulate in Cuba, as they stated themselves.
However, upon stopping in Santa Cruz, immigration officials blocked their entry, claiming that their tickets and accommodation bookings were fraudulent.
“We are not criminals; we entered with all our paperwork up to date... all we ask is to be treated as human beings,” said one of the affected individuals to the media Reporte Cuba Ya.
While Bolivian immigration authorities maintain that the documents are fraudulent, which would result in inadmissibility and possible deportation to Cuba, the migrants assert that they were victims of a travel agency based in Miami, to which they paid thousands of dollars to arrange their journey.
In a video published by El Toque, another affected individual reported that they are “detained without knowing why, they want to deport us and we are requesting political asylum. The same ambassador of Bolivia in Cuba issued us the visa, how can they say it’s fake?”.
The same witness points out that the Cuban ambassador in Bolivia himself would have intervened to facilitate the group's return to the Island, instead of advocating for their stay and asylum request.
Several of those detained claim they were forced to sign inadmissibility documents that they were not even allowed to read. “They didn’t give us time or explain the real reason,” said a member of the group.
Hunger, fear, and risk of reprisals in Cuba
The conditions they are in are critical, as they remain in an airport lounge, without money, hungry, and some are experiencing stomach pains from lack of food.
According to their accounts, many sold all their belongings to fund the journey, aiming to reunite with their families outside of Cuba.
If they are deported, they fear not having anywhere to live and facing reprisals from the Cuban regime for bringing attention to their case.
"I am making an international call because we have requested political asylum in Bolivia and they do not hear us. We entered legally and they want to deport us.", complained another one of those stranded.
Solidarity and Doubts in the Cuban Community in Bolivia
The case has generated outrage among Cubans residing in Bolivia, who have attempted to organize humanitarian aid. “Poor people, how can we help?… we can bring food or medicine, there are children and they are not allowed to receive anything,” they wrote in a community group that CiberCuba had access to.
Others point out that this would be the second flight in a few days in which Cubans with transit visas are being deported, after Migration detected that some travelers were entering Bolivia only to then leave by land to other countries without completing their air itinerary.
According to the Bolivian Immigration Law, a person can receive asylum if they can demonstrate that they are being persecuted for political, religious, racial, or social reasons. However, the process is nullified if it is proven that false documents were used, something that Cubans insist on denying.
Meanwhile, the group remains stranded in Viru Viru, caught between the fear of being sent back to the Island and the hope that some legal or humanitarian instance will halt their deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the detention of Cubans in Bolivia for false documents
Why were the 17 Cubans detained in Bolivia?
The Cubans were detained at the Viru Viru International Airport due to accusations that their documents, such as tickets and accommodation reservations, were fake. Although the migrants claim that their visas were issued legally, Bolivian authorities maintain that the papers were fraudulent.
What do Cubans say about their visas and documents?
Cubans claim that they were victims of a travel agency in Miami, to which they paid thousands of dollars to organize their trip. They assert that their visas were issued by the Bolivian consulate in Cuba and deny that their documents are fake.
What is the current situation of the Cubans held in Bolivia?
The Cubans remain in critical conditions at the airport, without money or adequate food, and fearing deportation to Cuba. They have requested political asylum in Bolivia, but so far they have not received a positive response.
What risks do Cubans face if they are deported to Cuba?
If they are deported, many fear not having a place to live and facing reprisals from the Cuban regime due to the visibility of their case. The situation in Cuba remains critical, with shortages and a questioned government management.
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