June 7, 2008, 6:52PM
Mexico detains 34 Cuban immigrants found on yacht



CANCUN, Mexico — Mexico's navy says it has detained 34 Cuban migrants who were in a yacht off Cancun's coast.

Lt. Wilberth Vargas says navy personnel found 28 men, four women and two children Friday during a routine patrol near the Mexican resort.

Vargas said Saturday the migrants told authorities they left Cuba on a makeshift boat and while at sea were spotted by two men in a yacht who offered to take them to the U.S.

Vargas didn't say if the two men sailing the yacht had been arrested.

Cubans are increasingly traveling through Mexico to try to reach the U.S. by land instead of trying to get past U.S. Coast Guard patrols off Florida.

Most Cubans who arrive in Mexico are released after being held 90 days at an immigration center.







http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5825003.html