(21 Jul 2015) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus035094
Hundreds of Cubans lined up outside the new US Embassy in Havana on Tuesday, hoping the new American diplomatic presence would make it easier to acquire a coveted visa to the United States.
Many were disappointed and left empty-handed after spending months - and hundreds of US dollars - waiting for a chance to visit relatives or emigrate to America.
The onerous visa application process requires spending at least 200 US dollars, a fortune for many in a country with an average minimum wage of 20 US dollars per month.
Meanwhile, there is skepticism in Cuba's dissident community that the new embassy will improve prospects for forcing political change on the tightly controlled island.
The leader of the Ladies in White dissident group said change would only happen from within, regardless of any support from the new embassy.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
