The Spanish Embassy in Havana has announced that it will stop issuing credentials to those seeking Spanish citizenship through the Law of Democratic Memory (LMD).
As reported in the last few hours, the suspension is temporary and is due to technical irregularities in the platform used to issue credentials. There is no word yet on an estimated date for resuming the process, which is essential to get an appointment.
Along the same lines, the embassy’s official statement explains that technical problems in the infrastructure of the embassy headquarters have forced some changes to be implemented in the day-to-day operations of that headquarters.
For example, civil registration services have moved to the Lonja del Comercio, while passport-related matters are now handled at the Velasco Palace. These changes raised concerns and caused delays in procedures.
The news of the suspension has sparked various reactions on social networks, where some citizens have speculated about the possible reasons behind the situation. Many fear that the Spanish Consulate in Havana is buying time to observe the election results in Spain, with the possibility of a second round of elections if the Socialist Party fails to form a government. Also, if the Popular Party takes office, they have promised to immediately repeal the so-called Grandchildren Act.
Valid for two years
But even if the PSOE remains in power, the LMD will be valid for two years, and almost a year has passed since it came into force. Thousands of Cubans of Spanish descent meet the requirements to apply for citizenship, but are hampered by a lack of nominations within or within the country and endless obstacles.
The community of Cubans interested in obtaining Spanish citizenship through this law hopes for an immediate solution to the technical problems that have hindered the process, with the hope that the procedures will resume in the future.
The LMD, popularly known as the Nietos Act, was designed to be more flexible and allow a greater number of descendants of Spaniards to choose Spanish nationality. To date, the Spanish Embassy in Havana has not provided information on how many Cubans have received positive resolutions in their cases.
:format(jpeg):focal(2625x1605:2635x1595)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gfrmedia/STOHWVCQUZC7BDGCBRBO6F5OFA.JPG "Power outages are expected in San Juan and Bayamon this Saturday")
