Alexander Delgado, currently on a cruise with Randy before their Rome concert as part of Gente de Zona's European tour, expressed profound respect for the Cubans who perished over the decades trying to escape the country by sea in search of a better life.
The director of Gente de Zona could not remain indifferent to the vastness of the sea before his eyes and dedicated some heartfelt words to those who died attempting to flee the island. "I look at this and feel deep respect for those Cubans who lived the nightmare of having to die at sea for freedom. How sad," Alexander wrote in his Instagram stories.
Alexander accompanied his message with a snippet of the iconic song "Patria y Vida" and a video of the sea recorded from the cruise ship, presumably in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, another place that has witnessed the deaths of thousands of migrants in recent years.
Tragic Losses and Uncertain Numbers
The exact number of rafters who have died attempting to leave Cuba is impossible to determine. Estimates on the number of Cuban rafters who have perished at sea over the last few decades vary considerably due to the difficulty of obtaining precise data. However, human rights organizations and press reports estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 Cubans may have lost their lives trying to reach the United States in recent decades. This figure includes those who have disappeared and whose fate remains unknown.
The surge of Cubans heading to the United States, whether by sea or land, shows no signs of abating. Nearly 19,000 Cubans entered the U.S. through its borders in May alone, according to monthly data published by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Of that total, 7,491 arrived by sea, confirming the ongoing influx of Cuban rafters to the United States.
U.S. Policy and Migrant Challenges
The U.S. government continues to insist that all individuals attempting or arriving illegally by sea will not be allowed to remain in the country. They will be processed according to U.S. laws and policies and returned to their country of origin or departure. Migrants arriving by sea and detained by the Border Patrol upon reaching U.S. soil are processed for return to their country of origin by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), with a ban on legal reentry for five years.
Despite authorities' efforts to dissuade Cuban rafters, illegal sea migration remains an option among those who are desperate to leave the country and have no other means to do so. In one of the most recent cases, a group of 15 Cuban migrants was detained last Sunday night after landing in Key West, Florida.
Understanding the Cuban Migrant Crisis
As the perilous journey of Cuban migrants continues, many questions arise about their plight and the policies surrounding their attempts to reach the United States.
Why do so many Cubans risk their lives to flee by sea?
Many Cubans seek to escape the country's oppressive regime and severe economic conditions in hopes of finding freedom and better opportunities in the United States.
What happens to Cuban migrants who are caught at sea?
Those caught at sea by U.S. authorities are usually returned to Cuba or the country from which they departed. They face a ban on legal reentry to the U.S. for five years.
How many Cuban migrants have died attempting to reach the U.S.?
Estimates suggest that between 20,000 and 30,000 Cubans may have died in their attempts to flee by sea over the past few decades, though the exact number is unknown.