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Latin American exiles queue for Spanish citizenship Latin American exiles queue for Spanish citizenship
(about 2 hours later)
Queues formed outside Spanish consulates in Latin America, on the last day that descendants of Spanish exiles could apply for citizenship. Queues formed outside Spanish consulates in Latin America on the last day that descendants of Spanish exiles could apply for citizenship.
Since 2008 more than 200,000 people whose parents or grandparents fled Spain during the 1936-39 civil war and Franco dictatorship have been recognised as Spanish.Since 2008 more than 200,000 people whose parents or grandparents fled Spain during the 1936-39 civil war and Franco dictatorship have been recognised as Spanish.
Most applicants were in Latin America, particularly Cuba and Argentina.Most applicants were in Latin America, particularly Cuba and Argentina.
Applications were invited under a law addressing the legacy of the conflict.Applications were invited under a law addressing the legacy of the conflict.
The Historic Memory Law was passed by Spain's former socialist government in 2007.The Historic Memory Law was passed by Spain's former socialist government in 2007.
A provision added in 2008 - known as the Law of Grandchildren - offered citizenship to anyone whose parents or grandparents were born in Spain but left the country because of their political beliefs or economic hardship between 1936 and 1955.A provision added in 2008 - known as the Law of Grandchildren - offered citizenship to anyone whose parents or grandparents were born in Spain but left the country because of their political beliefs or economic hardship between 1936 and 1955.
A three-year period during which applications could be made expires today.A three-year period during which applications could be made expires today.
'Grateful''Grateful'
A large queue formed outside the Spanish consulate in Havana, Cuba, as people rushed to beat the deadline.A large queue formed outside the Spanish consulate in Havana, Cuba, as people rushed to beat the deadline.
"I am very satisfied to have done this on the last possible day. I leave here happy and grateful," Cuban pensioner Jorge Vallos told the Associated Press after submitting his application."I am very satisfied to have done this on the last possible day. I leave here happy and grateful," Cuban pensioner Jorge Vallos told the Associated Press after submitting his application.
"Everyone is trying to take advantage of this in order to travel and to be able to visit our families - a father, a son, a brother," teacher Daisy Ramos said."Everyone is trying to take advantage of this in order to travel and to be able to visit our families - a father, a son, a brother," teacher Daisy Ramos said.
Spanish embassy officials say that up to 180,000 Cubans could be eligible for Spanish citizenship - more than 1% of Cuba's entire population.Spanish embassy officials say that up to 180,000 Cubans could be eligible for Spanish citizenship - more than 1% of Cuba's entire population.
Long queues also formed outside the Spanish consulate in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.Long queues also formed outside the Spanish consulate in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
More than 60,000 Argentines have already been given Spanish citizenship, out of around 300,000 who are thought to be eligible - the largest number in any one country.More than 60,000 Argentines have already been given Spanish citizenship, out of around 300,000 who are thought to be eligible - the largest number in any one country.
But most are not expected to go to live in Spain, which is suffering an economic crisis and high unemployment.But most are not expected to go to live in Spain, which is suffering an economic crisis and high unemployment.
"For now I am staying here," Argentine Daniel Garcia told Reuters after making his application."For now I am staying here," Argentine Daniel Garcia told Reuters after making his application.
"Above all I am doing it to be able to travel and to have the passport.""Above all I am doing it to be able to travel and to have the passport."
Latin America accounts for more than 90% of those seeking citizenship, with large numbers applying in Mexico and Venezuela.Latin America accounts for more than 90% of those seeking citizenship, with large numbers applying in Mexico and Venezuela.
Outside he region, the most applications have been in France, where many Spanish Republicans took refuge after their defeat in the civil war.Outside he region, the most applications have been in France, where many Spanish Republicans took refuge after their defeat in the civil war.
The Spanish foreign ministry says that - as of 31 August - citizenship had been granted to 213,787 people out of 378,862 applications.The Spanish foreign ministry says that - as of 31 August - citizenship had been granted to 213,787 people out of 378,862 applications.
The total by the end of the process is expected to reach 300,000.The total by the end of the process is expected to reach 300,000.
Those granted Spanish passports do not have to give up their current citizenship.Those granted Spanish passports do not have to give up their current citizenship.
Bitter legacyBitter legacy
Around half-a-million people were killed during the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War, in which a nationalist military revolt led by General Francisco Franco overthrew a left-wing Republican government.Around half-a-million people were killed during the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War, in which a nationalist military revolt led by General Francisco Franco overthrew a left-wing Republican government.
An estimated 500,000 people died in the war, and political killings and persecution continued during Gen Franco's long dictatorship, which only ended with his death in 1975.An estimated 500,000 people died in the war, and political killings and persecution continued during Gen Franco's long dictatorship, which only ended with his death in 1975.
The Historic Memory Law passed by former socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was aimed at addressing the bitter legacy of the conflict.The Historic Memory Law passed by former socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was aimed at addressing the bitter legacy of the conflict.
It offered compensation to the victims and help in finding the bodies of the dead, many of whom were buried in secret mass graves.It offered compensation to the victims and help in finding the bodies of the dead, many of whom were buried in secret mass graves.
It also condemned the Franco dictatorship and annulled many of the convictions handed down by its courts.It also condemned the Franco dictatorship and annulled many of the convictions handed down by its courts.
But the measure proved controversial in a country still divided by the Civil War.But the measure proved controversial in a country still divided by the Civil War.
It was opposed by the conservative Popular Party, which won power in this November's general election.It was opposed by the conservative Popular Party, which won power in this November's general election.