Authorities from Mexico and Central America are putting the final touches on a plan to move Cuban migrants from Costa Rica to Mexico as early as next week.
Officials from governments throughout the region say a pilot effort will move the first group of 250 Cubans by air and bus to Mexico.
The officials would not be quoted by name on the discussions. But they said this week the effort could start January 7 or 8.
About 8,000 Cubans have been stranded in Costa Rica since Nicaragua closed its border to them weeks ago.
The humanitarian transfer will airlift Cubans from Costa Rica to El Salvador, from where they will continue by bus toward Mexico. They are then expected to head to the U.S. border.