The Cuban fisherman Fermín Puig has reported the theft of his boat, which was used to transport 43 Cuban migrants to Florida, United States. Puig has stated that he has "lost everything." The group was eventually intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard after landing in Marathon Key, south of the state, early Tuesday morning, according to Martí Noticias.
While the migrants face possible deportation, Puig was summoned by the police on the island, who suggested he might have facilitated the theft of his boat, which was docked in the bay of Cojímar, east of Havana. "Nobody saw anything, not even the guards," he explained. "Yesterday, I left the station around 11 PM, and today they called me in for 1 PM. All the time, they insinuate that I sold the boat or made it easy for them to take it. But how can I sell what feeds my family?" he told the media outlet.
Puig insists he had no involvement in the illegal departure, emphasizing that the boat was his only means of livelihood. According to lawyer Raudiel Peña from the legal advisory service Cubalex, the fisherman will only be prosecuted if the Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor's Office can prove it wasn't a theft. However, in practice, the burden of proof often falls on the victim.
His daughter, Amanda Puig, who lives in the United States, regrets the situation. "My dad is left with nothing and wasn't even part of those who arrived. In Cuba, there's no insurance to cover this; we are desperate," she said. Meanwhile, his sister, Francis Puig, demands justice and the apprehension of the thief. "With the situation in Cuba, it's very hard for my brother to recover. What's worse, they are threatening to revoke his fishing license," she said, according to Martí Noticias.
The boat was valued at over $20,000, and the U.S. Coast Guard has indicated that they do not return boats arriving from Cuba due to "logistical difficulties."
Arrival of the Migrants
The Border Patrol detained 43 Cubans after they reached the shores of the Florida Keys in a small fishing boat. The group landed on Sombrero Beach in Marathon, one of the most well-known areas of the Keys. According to Border Patrol Chief Andrew Scharnweber, the migrants were traveling on a wooden fishing boat registered in Havana.
The forecasts finally materialized, and 2024 is on track to become the second-highest fiscal year for Cuban arrivals at the U.S. southern border, with more than 208,000 asylum seekers. Data from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded the arrival of 208,308 Cubans at U.S. border points through August of the current fiscal year (FY 2024), which began in October 2023 and ends this September.
Cuban Migrant Boat Theft: Key Questions Answered
Given the complexity and urgency surrounding the theft of Fermín Puig's boat and the subsequent arrival of Cuban migrants in Florida, we've compiled some essential questions and answers to provide clarity on the situation.
Why was Fermín Puig's boat stolen?
Puig's boat was reportedly stolen to transport 43 Cuban migrants to Florida. The fisherman has stated he had no involvement in the theft.
What happened to the Cuban migrants after they reached Florida?
The migrants were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard and are now facing possible deportation.
Will Fermín Puig face legal consequences?
According to lawyer Raudiel Peña from Cubalex, Puig will only be prosecuted if authorities can prove it wasn't a theft. However, the burden of proof often falls on the victim in such cases.
What is the impact of this incident on Puig's family?
Puig's family is devastated. His daughter in the U.S. has expressed their desperation, and his sister is demanding justice and the apprehension of the thief. The boat was their main source of income, and its loss has significantly impacted them.