MIAMI, United States. — The United States Coast Guard (USCG) deported 25 Cuban rafters who had tried to arrive illegally in the northern country.
A release of that entity points out that the rescue and repatriation operation was carried out successfully, “guaranteeing the safety of all the people involved and maintaining maritime security.”
The information released by the Coast Guard on the event includes statements by Lieutenant Travis Poulos, who expressed that force will continue to guarantee security in the Straits of Florida.
“This operation highlights the Coast Guard’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and preserving human life at sea,” the officer said.
The entity assured that, after being rescued, all the migrants received food, water, shelter and basic medical care.
The Coast Guard stressed that its troops “will continue to be present in the air and in the waters to detect and deter migrants from trying to enter the US illegally through the maritime domain.”
For the past several weeks, US border security forces have contained attempts by Cuban migrants to arrive in the US illegally.
On May 30, agents of the United States Border Patrol and the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detained 13 Cuban migrants near the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Days before, another 77 migrants they had been intercepted by the Coast Guard in different operations. Some of them were returned to Cuba, while others were transferred to the Bahamas.
Since October 1, 2022 —beginning of fiscal year 2023— Coast Guard crews have intercepted 6,701 Cuban rafters, 519 more than all migrants from the Island detained in fiscal year 2022.
