Starting May 5, the Spanish Consulate General in Havana will increase the number of weekly appointments for submitting applications under the Democratic Memory Law (LMD) to 336.
On April 25, the formal statement on the initiative was shared on social media. According to the diplomatic mission, the latest nominations allow for applications, reflecting a 27,2% increase in capacity.
Despite the warm welcome from Cubans of Spanish descent interested in obtaining Spanish citizenship, negative reactions and complaints arose regarding delays, lack of clarity, and poor processing at the Spanish consulate in Havana.
"If they continue to be so slow, the law will expire, and many of us will be left out. Speed up the process, hire staff, do something," said one of the interested parties, worried, considering the approaching deadline for submissions, which remains October 22.
"We hope that if they increase the daily capacity for receiving files, it will speed up the registration process or the sending of certified documents"; "The increase in appointments is very good, but I have a question. Will they continue to skip people? (...) This will be useless if people don't receive their credentials"; "If there are more appointments, then submit more credentials"; "We also want to be Spanish by right," said other users interested in the topic.
The urgency felt by many Cubans to complete their documentation is evident. Obtaining Spanish citizenship through their grandparents could be a transformative change in their lives and offer them the opportunity to overcome their economic hardships in Cuba.
