Castro Leads Protest Over U.S. Immigration Policy

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 28, 2001

Castro Leads Protest Over U.S. Immigration Policy

Cuban President Fidel Castro, wearing a black arm band, led Cubans in a rally in front of the U.S. diplomatic mission on Tuesday to protest the deaths at sea of 30 Cuban migrants, which Havana blames on Washington's immigration policy.

In the latest and one of the worst tragedies involving Cubans being smuggled into the United States, the migrants, including 13 children, perished when their boat capsized in heavy seas after setting out from Cuba on Nov. 17.

The boat and some debris, but no bodies, were found by the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 20, some 47 miles (87 kms) off Key West, Florida.

While Castro, who was to address the crowd at the end of the rally, was dressed in his traditional olive-green military uniform, many of the 300,000 protesters officials said participated wore black as a sign of mourning as they rallied in front of the eight-story building hugging Havana's sea-side Malecon boulevard.

The United States and Cuba have no formal diplomatic relations but maintain Interests Sections in each others' capitals.

The 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act offers preferential treatment to Cubans seeking U.S. residence once they reach American soil.

Cuba's official media and television commentators have repeatedly blamed the United States in recent days for the tragedy, charging the Cuban Adjustment Act entices people to make the dangerous voyage across the Florida Strait -- a notorious, shark-infested 90-mile (140-km) stretch of ocean -- separating the two countries.

The issue was expected to be a main bone of contention when the United States and Cuba sit down for their semi-annual immigration discussion next month in Havana.

Hurricane Michelle Slams Cuba

Cuba Signs Trade Accords with U.S. Firms