The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) repatriated 32 Cuban migrants this Wednesday after intercepting their vessel near Marathon in the Florida Keys.
In a statement released on its website, the USCG reported that last Friday, around 2 p.m., the crew of the HC-144 Ocean Sentry from the Miami Air Station notified watchstanders at the Key West Sector about a migrant vessel approximately 41 miles southeast of Long Key.
Photos posted by the USCG on the social media platform X show a small motorboat constructed with zinc sheets and named El Guerrero, which the Cuban migrants apparently used for their journey.
According to the official note, crews from the law enforcement boats of the Islamorada Station intercepted the migrants' boat and transferred them to the cutter Charles David Jr. for repatriation.
“Anyone attempting to migrate illegally by sea will be intercepted and returned to their country of origin,” said Lieutenant Commander Cheri-Ann Thompson of the 7th Coast Guard District. “These voyages are not only illegal but also incredibly dangerous. No one should risk their life on unsafe, makeshift vessels in unpredictable seas.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard vessel, the migrants are processed to determine their identity and are provided with food, water, shelter, and basic medical care before being repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country they departed from, the USCG statement noted.
The Ministry of the Interior of Cuba also reported on X about the return of the 32 Cuban migrants on Wednesday morning, bringing the total number of irregular migrants returned to the island to 899 in 56 repatriation operations from countries in the region during 2024.
Cuban authorities did not specify the composition of the repatriated group or when and from where they departed the island.
A week ago, the repatriation of 17 migrants from the U.S. was reported—11 men, three women, and three minors aged seven, 10, and 16—whose vessel was intercepted 24 miles south of the Marquesas Keys, Florida.
“The Coast Guard and its Southeast National Security Task Force, along with federal, state, and local partners, will continue to patrol by land, air, and sea to rescue and repatriate anyone attempting to enter the U.S. illegally by sea,” U.S. border authorities have emphasized.
On Tuesday, agents from the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and associated agencies detained 33 Cuban migrants who landed in Key West.
Mass Exodus Due to Dire Conditions in Cuba
The harsh living conditions, lack of freedoms, and absence of opportunities in Cuba continue to drive a massive and irregular exodus of citizens from the island to the United States, both by sea and by land.
In June alone, 17,563 Cubans entered the U.S. through its borders, according to data published by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Of that total, 6,216 arrived by sea, confirming the ongoing influx of Cuban migrants to the United States.
FAQs on Cuban Migrant Repatriation
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the repatriation of Cuban migrants and the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to control illegal migration by sea.
What happens to Cuban migrants intercepted at sea?
Once aboard a Coast Guard vessel, the migrants are processed to determine their identity and are provided with food, water, shelter, and basic medical care before being repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country they departed from.
Why are Cuban migrants risking their lives to reach the U.S.?
The harsh living conditions, lack of freedoms, and absence of opportunities in Cuba drive many citizens to risk their lives in unsafe, makeshift vessels in an attempt to reach the United States.
How many Cuban migrants were repatriated in 2024?
As of now, 899 Cuban migrants have been repatriated in 56 operations from countries in the region during 2024.