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WORLD NEWS Thursday 5 January 2023
U.S. reopening visa and consular services at

embassy in Cuba

By MEGAN JANETSKY Asso-
ciated Press
HAVANA (AP) — The United
States Embassy in Cuba is
reopening visa and con-
sular services Wednesday,
the first time it has done
so since a spate of unex-
plained health incidents
among diplomatic staff in
2017 slashed the American
presence in Havana.
The Embassy confirmed this
week it will begin process-
ing immigrant visas, with a
priority placed on permits
to reunite Cubans with fam-
ily in the U.S., and others like
the diversity visa lottery.
The resumption comes
amid the greatest migra-
tory flight from Cuba in de- A classic American convertible car passes beside the United States embassy as Cuban flags fly
cades, which has placed at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, a massive stage on the Malecon seaside promenade in Havana,
pressure on the Biden ad- Cuba, July 26, 2015. Associated Press
ministration to open more
legal pathways to Cubans nomic and political crises largest nationality after Cuban migrants head to
and start a dialogue with on the island. Mexicans appearing on the U.S. via flights to Nica-
the Cuban government, In late December, U.S. the border, U.S. Customs ragua and cross by land at
despite a historically tense authorities reported stop- and Border Protection data the U.S. border with Mexico,
relationship. ping Cubans 34,675 times shows. The growing migra- thousands more have also
They are anticipated to along the Mexico border tion is due to a complex taken a dangerous voyage
give out at least 20,000 vi- in November, up 21% from array of factors, including by sea. They travel 90 miles
sas a year, though it’s just 28,848 times in October. economic, energy and po- to the Florida coast, often
a drop in the bucket of the Month-to-month, that num- litical crises, as well deep arriving in rickety, precari-
migratory tide, which is fu- ber has gradually risen. Cu- discontent among Cubans. ously constructed boats
eled by intensifying eco- bans are now the second- While the vast majority of packed with migrants.q

Philippines seeks to cleanse police force of drug ties

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — year for their involvement engaged in drug activities. A committee will be formed
The Philippines’ interior sec- or suspected involvement Abalos said it’s difficult to to review the records of po-
retary announced Wednes- in the drug trade. Abalos fight a war against illegal lice officials to determine if
day he has asked all police cited a recent case of law drugs if supposed allies they are involved in the il-
generals and full colonels enforcers selling drugs in could shoot your back, legal drug trade, he said,
to submit their courtesy res- their office. The Philippine and the resignations aim to adding that those who are
ignation to clean the ranks Drug Enforcement Agency prevent erring officers from not involved have nothing
of ties to illegal drugs. was also subject to raids, covering their tracks or fil- to worry about.q
Around 300 officers are arrests and dismissals in re- ing trumped-up charges.
covered by the directive, cent months.
which was recommend- Former President Rodrigo
ed by the national police Duterte has earned inter-
chief, who will also submit national condemnation
his courtesy resignation, In- for his lethal war on drugs,
terior Secretary Benjamin which according to police
Abalos Jr. said in a news data left over 6,200 sus-
conference. pects dead.
“It appears that there is a Human rights groups have
big problem in our police cited higher death tolls
force. It appears there are and accused some police
generals and colonels in- officers of fabricating evi-
volved in drugs,” he said. dence to make it appear
“We need to clean our that victims violently resist-
ranks. We need the trust of ed arrest.
the people.” In November, Philippine In this photo provided by the Department of Interior and Local
More than a dozen police National Police Chief Ro- Government Photo, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
officers were arrested or re- dolfo Azurin Jr. said he di- speaks during a news conference in Quezon City, Philippines
lieved from their posts and rected law enforcers to Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
put under investigation last minimize killings of people Associated Press