- Title: Stuck on Mexican border, Cubans open eatery
- Date: 8th April 2017
- Summary: NUEVO LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO (APRIL 7, 2017) (REUTERS) SIGN THAT SAYS, "JUAREZ-LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE" VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF "EL CUBANITO" RESTAURANT "EL CUBANITO" RESTAURANT FOUNDER, LOURDES DE LA TORRE, AT ENTRANCE OF RESTAURANT RESTAURANT MENU WITH CUBAN DISHES VARIOUS OF DE LA TORRE SPEAKING WITH CUSTOMERS VARIOUS OF DE LA TORRE PASSING ORDER TO CHEF IN KITCHEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) "EL CUBANITO" RESTAURANT FOUNDER, LOURDES DE LA TORRE, SAYING: "Well, according to what the clients themselves, our own Cuban friends, tell us - what we are doing is quite good. We don't know what the future holds. We are only here because for some reason God left us here when we were headed to the United States. We're just waiting for an answer from the U.S. government, for them to tell us 'yes' or 'no,' so we find the right course for our lives." VARIOUS OF CHEF, YORLENYS NAVARRO, PREPARING MEALS IN KITCHEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) "EL CUBANITO" CHEF, YORLENYS NAVARRO, SAYING: "I hope, I really do hope they give us a visa so we can work and be able to make our way there. Right now, we can't cross. So we work here, work to help our family, to see if we can go to Cuba, and see the people you've left there." VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER TRYING DISH DISH BEING PRESENTED FROM KITCHEN STOOL AND COUNTER FOR EATING AT RESTAURANT MORE OF CUSTOMERS EATING CUSTOMERS LEAVING RESTAURANT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESTAURANT CUSTOMER, IRENE MORENO, SAYING: "I had heard, I had heard that there was a new restaurant, but I didn't know where, and well after asking around… the food was very good. ("REPORTER ASKS: IS THIS A NEW TREND?") Of course, yes. I think it's a new development, the new thing right now." VIEW OF BORDER SOLDIER AT BORDER VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CROSSING BORDER
- Embargoed: 22nd April 2017 16:22
- Keywords: Nuevo Laredo wet foot dry foot Cuban migrants Trump 'El Cubanito'
- Location: NUEVO LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS, MÉXICO
- City: NUEVO LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS, MÉXICO
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016BJG08Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A generation of Cubans knew if they physically made it to the United States, they'd be able to eventually pursue U.S. residency. But the normalisation process of relations begun under former U.S. President, Barack Obama, which ended the "wet food, dry foot" policy, and the unorthodox politics of new President, Donald Trump, have thrown Cubans for a loop. One group of Cubans residing along the U.S. border with Mexico, have found a compromise; instead of going home, they've decided to bring Cuban culture to their Mexican hotel, and even opened a new restaurant.
The eatery, "El Cubanito," is located in the eastern Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which shares a border with Texas.
There are several hundred Cubans currently in Nueno Laredo, and many stay in area hotels.
The Cuban restaurant is run by founder, Lourdes de la Torres, a native of Camaguey. She's joined in her business by a Mexican national.
In speaking to Reuters, she says the eatery has found a place for itself.
"Well, according to what the clients themselves, our own Cuban friends, tell us - what we are doing is quite good. We don't know what the future holds. We are only here because for some reason God left us here when we were headed to the United States. We're just waiting for an answer from the U.S. government, for them to tell us 'yes' or 'no,' so we find the right course for our lives."
De la Torres estimates her foot traffic is about 70 to 80 clients a day. They're not just members of the Cuban diaspora; they travel from other parts of Mexico and even the United States to eat at her restaurant.
Frustrated by an inability to gain a U.S. visa, Yorlenys Navarro thought it might be wise to put his eight years of experience in a Havana kitchen to use, and became the restaurant's cook.
"I really do hope they give us a visa so we can work and be able to make our way there. Right now, we can't cross. So we work here, work to help our family, to see if we can go to Cuba, and see the people you've left there," he said.
The Mexican Migration Institute has announced it will grant resident status to almost 600 Cubans living in the border city.
Nuevo Laredo residents, for their part, are happy with the infusion of a new cuisine.
"I had heard that there was a new restaurant but I didn't know where, and, well, after asking around, the food was very good... I think it's a new development, the new thing right now," said customer Irene Moreno. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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