The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 22 Cuban migrants on Tuesday following two separate interdictions south of the Florida Keys.
According to a post on the social media platform X, the crew of the vessel Pablo Valent transported the rafters back to the island. These operations were conducted after agents from the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBPAMO) spotted the migrants during routine aerial patrols over the Florida Straits.
The U.S. government, in its message, emphasized the severe risks associated with attempting to cross the sea under unsafe conditions, urging migrants to avoid risking their lives in the ocean. These measures are aimed at preventing tragedies and discouraging illegal maritime migration.
Increasing Economic Hardships in Cuba
Due to the worsening economic situation in Cuba, more citizens are embarking on perilous sea journeys in search of better opportunities, despite the life-threatening risks involved.
The dangerous voyage to the United States has claimed the lives of at least 142 rafters so far in 2024, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Missing Migrants Program.