More Cubans abandoning communist island in ’silent exodus’

Despite a dizzying array of reforms since Raul Castro took the helm of Cuba’s government, 2008 looks to be a record year for emigration, as inhabitants abandon the communist island in droves.

In the first half of the US fiscal year, which began on October 1, almost 3,000 Cubans tried to reach US shores by crossing the shark-infested Florida Straits, according to the US Interests Section in Havana. The number represents a 21 percent increase over the previous year.

Some Cubans are abandoning the island of some 11 million inhabitants legally; Others leave illegally, crowded on smugglers’ fastboats. Almost all are heading to the islands nearby arch-enemy, the United States.”*

*From: http://news.yahoo.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

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