The Spanish Consulate General in Havana has announced that it will resume public services starting November 8 at both of its locations: Lonja del Comercio and Palacio Velasco. This decision follows the disruption caused by Hurricane Rafael, which inflicted damage on their document reception areas.
According to an official statement shared on the social media platform X by the consulate's account (@ConsEspLaHabana), services will return to normal except for legalizations, which will remain temporarily suspended due to the destruction wrought by the hurricane in their offices. The official message from the consulate specifies: "Initially, all services will be offered except for legalizations, as the area receiving documentation was impacted by Hurricane Rafael."
The partial reinstatement of services at the Spanish Consulate General aims to reduce the impact of the service interruption on Spanish citizens and residents in Cuba who rely on these essential services. However, consular authorities will continue assessing the condition of the facilities to fully restore operations as soon as it is safe and feasible.
Efforts to Enhance the Appointment System
Back on September 6, 2024, the Spanish Consulate in Havana began a process to improve the appointment system related to the Democratic Memory Law, commonly known as the "Grandchildren Law." This involved removing users who had obtained credentials before January 1, 2024, but had not yet booked an appointment. This action was intended to streamline the flow of applications and make the process of obtaining Spanish nationality more efficient. Affected individuals had until the end of September to use their credentials and confirm their appointments before they were revoked, a necessary step given the high demand.
Increase in Application Capacity
On October 9, 2024, the consulate announced an increase in the number of applicants it can serve under the same Grandchildren Law. This adjustment allows for an additional 326 applicants per week, representing a 37.33% increase in service capacity. This expansion was a response to the overwhelming number of applications from descendants of Spaniards in Cuba, who must meet specific criteria and schedule appointments to formalize their applications. With these measures, the consulate aims to shorten waiting times and ease the process for Cubans interested in taking advantage of this law.