Cubans End Embassy Occupation in Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A group of 72 Cubans who had occupied the Mexican Embassy in the Dominican Republic for the last eight days left the premises peacefully Friday, witnesses said.

The Cubans, who are demanding help to travel to the United States, boarded two buses provided by the Dominican Republic to be taken to a government vacation center south of Santo Domingo, the capital.

Daniel Hernandez, a spokesman for the group of 23 men, 24 women and 25 children, said they were leaving the embassy grounds “with resignation” but added they still hoped to be able to travel to Miami to join relatives there.

Dominican President Joaquin Balaguer said Thursday that the Cubans would be accommodated at the vacation center “while a diplomatic solution is sought . . . so that they can go and live in the country they choose.”