Cuba expects to resume US deportation flights this month

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Cuba plans to resume accepting deportation flights from the United States this month, a Cuban official said, echoing US concerns about the highest levels of Cuban migration in six decades.

Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba's deputy foreign minister, said flights are expected before the US ends coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions on asylum on May 11, which is widely projected to increase the number of people seeking entry to the US at the US-Mexico border.

The diplomat spoke in an interview with The Associated Press at the Cuban ambassador's residence outside Washington after what he called “a productive meeting” with US Department of Homeland Security officials to discuss migration.

“We have a lot of common understanding, both parties, the United States and Cuba, about the nature of the problem,” he said.

Fernandez de Cossio said there was no agreement on the frequency of flights, which will depend on US and Cuban capacity.

But he said there was no reason they can't return to pre-pandemic levels of about twice a month.

The last flight was in December 2020.

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