MADRID, Spain.- The United States Coast Guard (USCG) repatriated this Thursday a group of 48 Cuban migrants.
The Caribbean people were returned to the island by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Charles Sexton, after five interdictions in the Florida Keys, the USCG specified through a release.
The first two interdictions occurred last Saturday, after the watchmen of the Key West Sector were warned of the presence of rustic boats: one 32 miles south of Key West and the other about 45 miles.
In the early hours of Sunday, a rustic boat was sighted about 65 miles south of Key West. While on the night of that same day a crew of Air and Marine Operations of Customs and Border Protection alerted the guards about a rustic boat, approximately 50 miles south of Boot Cay.
The last vessel was sighted Tuesday at 3:15 pm, about 45 miles south of Key West.
Before being deported, all migrants received food, water and basic medical care.
Like in previous occasions, US authorities explained that people residing in the United States who wish to inquire about possible family members intercepted at sea should contact their local US representative.
For their part, relatives who are outside the United States should contact the local US embassy.
Reporting on Thursday’s repatriation, Robert Copeland, District Seven Coast Guard officer, warned of the danger of jumping into the sea and trying to reach the northern country.
“These waterways are dangerous, unpredictable and the risk of loss of life is great,” said Robert Copeland through Twitter.
#breaking @USCG crews repatriated 48 Cubans to #CubaThursday.
“These waterways are dangerous, unpredictable and the risk for loss of life is great.” – Lt. Robert Copeland.
Press Release: https://t.co/KSzvoMzIIY@USEmbCuba #DontTakeToTheSea pic.twitter.com/yKA7cGMtut
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 19, 2022
Data on Cuban migrants intercepted at sea
Since October 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews intercepted 1,910 Cubans compared to:
5,396 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2016
1,468 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2017
259 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2018
313 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
49 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
838 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2021
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