US Coast Guard repatriates 109 Cuban migrants

Published on November 5, 2016

MIAMI, USA -- The US Coast Guard has repatriated 109 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, since October 15.

The Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans repatriated seven Cuban migrants on October 15, the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. repatriated seven Cuban migrants on October 19 and 76 Cuban migrants on October 25, the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback repatriated 15 Cuban migrants on October 22 and the Coast Guard Cutter William Trump repatriated four Cuban migrants on Thursday.

These repatriations are a result of seven separate at-sea migrant interdictions in the South Florida Straits. In each instance, the Coast Guard helped secure the US border and prevented these sea voyages from ending in tragedy.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

The Coast Guard has observed a steady increase in illegal maritime migration attempts to the Southeastern US from Cuba. The Coast Guard 7th District estimates that 332 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate via the sea since October 1. In fiscal year 2016, 7,411 Cubans attempted to illegally migrate via the sea compared to 4,473 in fiscal year 2015. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

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