MIAMI, United States. — The United States Coast Guard (USCG) repatriated this Friday 27 Cuban irregular migrants who had tried to reach the northern country by sea.
A note from the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) published in official media indicates that the group was made up of 23 men, two women and two minors.
The migrants were returned at the port of Orozco, in the municipality of Bahía Honda, province of Artemisa.
According to MININT, three of the deported Cubans “were transferred to the investigative bodies for being suspected of committing serious criminal acts that were being investigated since before they became involved in these illegal departures.”
The information specifies that another of the repatriates “was on probation for compliance with criminal sanctions at the time of illegally leaving the country and will be made available to the corresponding courts for the revocation of said benefit.”
So far this year, 2,875 Cuban migrants have been returned from the United States in a total of 46 deportation operations: 44 by sea and two by air. The number of Cubans returned from different countries in the region amounts to 3,836 in a total of 74 operations.
“Cuba remains firm in its commitment to regular, safe, and orderly migration, while it has reiterated the danger and life-threatening conditions represented by illegal departures from the country by sea, as well as the irresponsible involvement of minors,” the statement concluded. MININT note.
Since the beginning of 2023, the United States government has reinforced surveillance in the Straits of Florida to stop the illegal arrival of migrants, not only from Cuba, but also from other countries in the area, such as Haiti, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
“Our maritime borders are closed. It is imperative that family and friends share this with their loved ones in Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. The journey is dangerous and they could lose their lives. They will be intercepted and then repatriated to their country of origin or where they left. In addition, illegal entry or attempts to reach the US by sea will result in your disqualification for the humanitarian parole program that includes citizens of Cuba and Haiti,” Coast Guard Captain Benjamin Golightly recently warned in statements collected by that entity.
