The U.S. Coast Guard has returned 26 Cuban migrants who were captured at sea while attempting to enter the country illegally near the Florida Keys.
The agency reported that on Tuesday, May 14, a vessel from the Islamorada station spotted the migrants aboard a makeshift boat near the Crocker Reef. Teams from the station intercepted the Cuban boat and transferred the occupants to the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, where they received food, water, and basic medical care.
Finally, all were returned to Cuba on Friday, May 17, aboard the Cutter Paul Clark.
The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) of Cuba revealed that the 26 migrants had left illegally from Villa Clara and had been at sea for three days when they were intercepted by U.S. authorities. "This marks 40 operations with 571 individuals returned in 2024 from various countries in the region," detailed MININT on its Twitter account on Saturday, May 18.
That same day, another seven Cuban migrants who managed to land in Key Largo were detected and detained by agents of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in the Miami sector. Samuel Briggs II, the chief agent of the USBP in the Miami sector, reported the incident in a Twitter post, where he warned that "illegal maritime migration ventures during these scorching temperatures are extremely dangerous and potentially deadly."
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migrants Interception
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the interception and return of Cuban migrants by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Why does the U.S. Coast Guard return Cuban migrants?
The U.S. Coast Guard returns Cuban migrants as part of its mission to enforce maritime laws and prevent illegal migration, which can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening.
What happens to the migrants after they are intercepted?
After interception, migrants are typically given food, water, and basic medical care. They are then transferred to a Coast Guard cutter and eventually returned to their country of origin, in this case, Cuba.
How many Cuban migrants have been returned in 2024?
According to the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, there have been 40 operations in 2024, resulting in the return of 571 individuals from various countries in the region.