The United States Coast Guard Service returned 83 irregular migrants to Cuba through the port of Orozco, in Bahía Honda, Artemisa province, bringing the total to 1,271 returnees from that country so far this year, the Interior Ministry reported this Saturday. (Minint).
The last such operation was communicated on Friday by the Minint, with a total of 136 rafters returned by US authorities between January 18 and 20. The group this Saturday was smaller, made up of 60 men, 16 women and 7 minors residing in the provinces of Artemisa, Havana and Matanzas, intercepted at sea when they were trying to reach the United States illegally.
This Saturday, January 21, the US Coast Guard returned to #Cuba 83 irregular migrants. Most of these people (60 men, 16 women and seven minors) were from Artemisa, Havana and Matanzas who had participated in 4 illegal exits from the country. pic.twitter.com/4FESjJkocP
— MININT_CUBA (@minint_cuba) January 21, 2023
“Of the returnees, two were transferred to the investigative bodies, for being alleged perpetrators of serious criminal acts that are being investigated,” said the report, which details that, since the beginning of 2023, they have been returned. a total of 1,416 irregular migrants to Cuba, adding up to 13 joint operations with authorities from the United States, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
In a previous report, the Minint said that on Sunday, January 8, “the largest return in recent years” occurred by the US Coast Guard, with 273 people who “had participated in illegal exits from the country” through a port in Matanzas. .
During the first 13 days of 2023, 1,115 Cubans were repatriated from the United States, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, and the majority –970 people– were rafters intercepted on the Florida coast.
The Cuban authorities affirm that they maintain their commitment “with a regular, safe and orderly migration” and insist on “the danger and risk conditions for life that illegal departures from the country by sea represent.”
Requirements of the new parole program to immigrate to the United States
In recent times, the US Coast Guard has stepped up deportations, especially after the implementation of a new program of parole through which they will welcome 30,000 migrants per month from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua. However, those who have been detained at sea after the announcement of the new policy on January 5, they will not be able to benefit from it.
In parallel, the United States will immediately expel migrants from those countries who attempt to cross into its territory irregularly to Mexico. Mexico, for its part, agreed to admit 30,000 migrants a month who are expelled from northern territory.
OnCuba/EFE Writing
