Eight Cuban migrants were rescued by a tanker after their boat sank near the Cayman Islands at the end of November, according to a report released Monday by the Customs and Border Control Service (CBC). On November 28, around 1:45 p.m., the vessel carrying the Cuban immigrants began to sink 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) northeast of Grand Cayman. Fortunately, a nearby tanker spotted the distress and alerted the Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG), as stated in a CBC press release.
The migrants, all male, were safely brought aboard the tanker. The captain of the tanker adhered to international maritime laws and obligations, coordinating with the CICG and CBC to transfer the Cubans from the tanker. Subsequently, the coast guard transported them to the port of George Town, authorities confirmed.
Once at the port, the eight men were handed over to the CBC's Mass Migration Section for processing, as noted in the release. Information about the rescue was not made public until Monday, 11 days after the incident occurred.
On the same day, the Cayman Islands Customs Service announced in another statement the repatriation of 16 Cuban immigrants to their home country in two separate operations carried out by the agency. On November 22, four migrants from Cuba were sent back by air on a Cayman Airways flight. A week later, in a second air operation led by the CBC with assistance from the Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS), 12 more Cubans were repatriated.
Although Cayman authorities did not confirm it, the migrants rescued on November 28 might have been among those returned to Cuba on the second flight. This group included an individual who was under parole for criminal sanctions when they left the country, as reported by the official newspaper Granma at the time. The report indicated that this person would face the courts for a potential revocation of their parole.
The statement released Monday by the Cayman Islands Customs Service also included comments from its director, Bruce Smith. He expressed gratitude to the agency's officials and the migration management team "for their dedicated efforts in the organization and execution of successful repatriation flights." Smith emphasized that "their commitment has been crucial in ensuring a seamless transition for individuals, particularly with the increased efficiency brought about by the 2022 regulations, which have significantly reduced processing times."
In recent years, many Cuban migrants have arrived at this British overseas territory on their journey toward Mexico. They aim to reach Mexico to continue traveling by land to the U.S. border, where they plan to seek asylum. The Cayman Islands authorities maintain a detention center for irregular Cuban migrants before they are repatriated to their home country.
Cuban Migration and Repatriation Processes
What happened to the Cuban migrants rescued near the Cayman Islands?
Eight Cuban migrants were rescued by a tanker after their boat sank near the Cayman Islands. They were safely transferred to the port of George Town and processed by the CBC's Mass Migration Section.
How are Cuban migrants repatriated from the Cayman Islands?
Cuban migrants in the Cayman Islands are repatriated through coordinated air operations led by the CBC, with assistance from the HMCIPS. These operations ensure a safe and efficient return to their home country.