A group of Cuban migrants began their long journey through Central American to the United States. Officials in El Salvador said a small group of 180 migrants left Costa Rica Tuesday night.
The migrants boarded a plane in Liberia, Costa Rica and headed to San Luis Talpa, El Salvador.
Once in El Salvador, the migrants were put on buses that will take them to the Guatemalan border. Their journey will now take them through Mexico until they arrive at the U.S. border.
The chancellor of El Salvador, Hugo Martinez, says this pilot project is the first of what he hopes are many trips designed to solve the Cuban migrant crisis in Central America.
More than 7,000 migrants were trapped in Costa Rica when Nicaragua decided to close its borders. The crisis led to a meeting among Central American leaders where a plan was proposed to get the Cubans to their desired final destination.
The Cubans are responsible for paying for their own flight and bus tickets, Central American leaders have emphasized the program will be of no cost to the participating countries.
It is unclear when the next group of Cubans will be allowed to leave or how often the flights out will be chancellor Martinez said the Central American leaders have agreed to meet once the first group of Cubans reaches their destination to re-evaluate the program and make any changes that might be necessary.
In a press conference held Tuesday night, chancellor Martinez was asked about the United State's policy on Cuban migrants and he said he considers their treatment a double standard.
"They reward migration for one country, yet punish migration from others," said Martinez.
Martinez added he hopes this civil treatment of the Cuban migrants will serve as an example for other countries to treat migrants better.