NASSAU, Bahamas, March 15 -It is announced for public information that two individuals who are citizens of Cuba who were detained in The Bahamas for illegally entering the country have been escorted out of The Bahamas accompanied by two Bahamian Immigration Officers. Dr. Marialys Daris Mesa and Dr. David Aquino Gonzalez Mejais departed The Bahamas on Tuesday, March 14 at 8 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
The Department of Immigration of The Bahamas and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) had earlier both advised that neither individual could establish a credible claim of a well grounded fear of persecution in their home country, Cuba. This meant that they did not qualify to be political refugees in The Bahamas. However, UNHCR did further advise that they would not object to a humanitarian gesture of paroling the individuals out to allow them to join their families in circumstances where such a request was made by the two individuals.
The request was made to the Government to allow them to join their families who are believed to be residing in the United States. This matter also attracted intense public international scrutiny. It required mature consideration by all of the countries involved in this matter.
As a result of intense consultations at the highest levels of the Government of The Bahamas, a decision was made to allow this exception in favor of the two individuals.
The Bahamas concluded this matter with humanitarian consideration and within the proper context of responsible international relations, while protecting the integrity of the country. This was a deliberate and painstaking process, necessarily conducted over an extended period.
The two individuals landed in Jamaica on the morning of March 14, and have now left Jamaica for the United States.
Media Contact: Fred Mitchell
Minister of Foreign Affairs
(242) 322-7624
