MADRID, Spain.- A group of 99 Cuban rafters was repatriate this Tuesday to the Island by the crew of the Paul Clark Coast Guard. Caribbean migrants were intercepted off the Florida Keys in seven United States Coast Guard (USCG) operations.
#breaking @USCG crews repatriated 99 Cubans to #CubaTuesday.
“These waterways are dangerous, unpredictable and the risk for loss of life is great.” – Petty Officer Jose Hernandez.
Press Release: https://t.co/ddu0fZuEHd@USEmbCuba #DontTakeToTheSea pic.twitter.com/zGyEM26Zu5
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 31, 2022
according to a release of the USCG, the first group was sighted by a Miami Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew this past Friday afternoon at approximately 1:40 p.m., about 55 miles southwest of Key West.
A few hours later, the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Charles Sexton alerted Sector Key West watchmen who rescued the Cubans whose boat had capsized 53 miles southwest of Key West.
On Saturday morning, another group of Cuban rafters was detained about 22 miles south of Long Key.
That same day, a Miami Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted to a vessel about 35 miles south of Marathon.
While on Sunday three other Cuban boats were detected: one 7 miles south of Key West; another about 15 miles south of Tavernier and the last about 20 miles southwest of Cay Sal.
Upon being rescued, the migrants received food, water, basic medical attention and shelter until the time of their deportation.
All Cubans traveled in rustic boats, without the necessary conditions for this journey.
Like in previous occasionsthe authorities warned about the danger of jumping into the sea in boats like these.
“The waterways are dangerous, unpredictable and the risk of loss of life is great”, highlighted the briefing note.
Data on Cuban migrants intercepted at sea
Since October 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews intercepted 1,952 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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