The US returns 20 rafters to Cuba and there are already 4,400 repatriated from various countries in 2023
HAVANA, Oct. 7th. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) returned 20 rafters to Cuba this Friday and with them, the number of irregular migrants returned to the Island from several countries in the region so far in 2023 has risen to 4,400.
This group includes six women, four minors, and 10 men who had participated in an illegal departure from the country by sea, according to a report from the Ministry of the Interior.
The majority of those returned, this time through the western port of Orozco (Bahía Honda, province of Artemisa), are people residing in the provinces of Camagüey and Matanzas.
This is the second deportation of Cuban rafters carried out from the United States this week, after last Tuesday the Coast Guard returned five women and 18 men who had participated in two illegal departures from the Island and were intercepted at sea by the guard. American coast.
The Cuban authorities insist on pointing out that they remain “firm” in their commitment to “a safe and orderly migration” and reiterated “the danger and life-threatening conditions represented by illegal departures from the country by sea and the involvement of minors.”
Since October 1, 2022, North American Coast Guard crews have intercepted more than 6,500 Cubans at sea on trips to the coast of Florida
Since October 1, 2022, North American Coast Guard crews have intercepted more than 6,500 Cubans at sea on trips to the coast of Florida, according to official data. During the last fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2022 and ended on September 30, nearly 7,000 Cubans have been intercepted by the US Coast Guard.
Cuba and the United States have a bilateral agreement so that all migrants who arrive by sea are returned to the Island. Last November, the air route was added to this after Havana and Washington agreed to resume deportation flights for people “inadmissible” detained on the border with Mexico.
This year, Cuba has also received repatriated migrants from the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
