Jamaican immigration authorities have detained ten Cuban nationals after their illegal entry into the country by sea. As of Sunday afternoon, these individuals were being processed by the St James Police Division and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), according to local media reports.
Details of the Maritime Entry
Reports indicate that the Cubans arrived in four boats, split into two separate groups. "On Saturday, October 26, at approximately 6:30 p.m., three small vessels carrying about seven Cuban citizens reached the Jamaican coast," stated Roderick Reid, Zone One Commander, during a press briefing in Montego Bay on Sunday. The Deputy Superintendent of Police added, "The police intercepted the individuals on Unity Hall's main road and took them into custody. There are signs they entered the country illegally."
Another Boat Intercepted
Reid mentioned a second incident on Sunday, around 10:43 a.m., where another boat with three Cuban nationals entered Jamaican waters. The Cubans were detained in different locations: seven were apprehended on Unity Hall's main road in the parish on Saturday afternoon, and the remaining were found at a well-known hotel property in Rose Hall, St James, on Sunday morning.
Current Status of the Detainees
All ten Cuban citizens are currently in custody at the Montego Bay Police Station, where they are being processed by the police and external partners, including PICA and Immigration, as stated by Reid. According to the officer, two of the Cubans, who have some proficiency in English, admitted to fleeing Cuba due to the hardships they are facing, highlighting the increasing trend of irregular migration from the island.
This exodus occurs amidst a critical backdrop for Cubans, who last week endured a nationwide power outage and were affected by Hurricane Oscar in the eastern region, worsening the already severe economic and social conditions.