Cubans Seek Asylum at Belgian Envoy’s Havana Residence

Dozens of Cubans climbed over and opened wrought-iron gates at the Belgian ambassador’s residence in Havana on Saturday and were holed up inside to demand political asylum, witnesses said.

“A group of unidentified people penetrated the residence of the Belgian ambassador in this capital, and the motives for the action are not known,” reported the Cuban government’s Prensa Latina news agency, quoting an unidentified Foreign Ministry official.

A foreign diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said there were 114 men, women and children inside the residence.

Earlier reports of the numbers seeking asylum, from Cuban police officials, neighbors and those inside the residence ranged from 20 to 124.

Belgian Ambassador Paul Belmeirsch arrived several hours later but drove onto the grounds without making any comment.

He left later to meet with Cuban officials, according to a diplomatic source.

Bystanders said some of the group demanding to leave the Communist-ruled island had climbed over the mansion’s spiked, wrought-iron fence and opened it to let others in.

Police reinforcements arrived and cordoned off the area shortly after the incident.

A group of smiling young Cubans at the residence gathered near a rear entrance shortly after the incident began.

One, a woman, held an infant in the air, while another held up a sign reading “Down with Fidel,” a reference to President Fidel Castro.

The scene appeared peaceful, with police posted 20 yards apart around the residence.

Belgian and Cuban government officials were not available for immediate comment.

Neighbors near the ambassador’s residence said Cubans had gathered in several groups in a park alongside the residence. At a prearranged signal they rushed the gate.

Police guards, permanently stationed on one corner of the street where the residence is located, did not open fire.

Cubans frustrated in attempts to leave the island have sometimes resorted to embassy invasions in efforts to win asylum abroad.

Scores of Cubans invaded the Spanish, Czech, Swiss and Belgian embassies in 1990 demanding permission to emigrate.

At least 11 were given visas and immigrated to Mexico after forcing their way into the Mexican Embassy last year. Four tried to obtain visas by invading the Canadian Embassy in April.

Hundreds rushed the U.S. Interest Section on Havana’s waterfront in February after hearing a false rumor that a mass of visas would be issued.