MIAMI, United States. — The United States Coast Guard (USCG) repatriated 47 Cuban rafters on Tuesday, that entity reported today.
A report published on the social network Twitter indicates that the migrants were returned to the island by the crew of the Coast Guard Margaret Norvell.
Lt. Connor Ives, of the Seventh Coast Guard District, pointed out that illegal maritime incursions in the Florida Straits are extremely dangerous, even more so when they are carried out in unsafe vessels.
“No one should risk their life in unsafe rustic boats in unpredictable seas. These trips are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous,” the officer said.
The migrants deported this Tuesday had been intercepted last Wednesday in two rescue operations.
The first group, aboard a 28-foot vessel, was sighted about 10:00 p.m. that day about 11 miles south of Cay Sal, Bahamas, by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valent, who immediately notified the watchmen from Coast Guard District Seven.
The second was located at 11:30 pm about 15 miles north of Cayo Cruz del Padre, Cuba, by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell.
A release of the Coast Guard points out that, once on board a patrol boat, all the migrants received food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
Since October 1, 2022, the date on which fiscal year 2023 began in the United States, the crews of the US Coast Guard intercepted 6,250 Cubans, the highest number recorded in the last seven fiscal years.
As of 2023, the Cuban regime has received 2,165 migrants repatriated by the United States Coast Guard, according to official media on the island this Monday.
The repatriated migrants had been involved in six illegal departures intercepted by the US Coast Guard in recent weeks.
