Coast Guard intercepts 27 migrants heading to Florida, returns them to Cuba

Coast Guard crews repatriated 27 migrants to Cuba on Thursday.

The Cubans were traveling in a boat on Saturday when they were intercepted 29 miles north of Cuba on their way to Florida, Coast Guard officials said.

The migrants were given food, water and medical attention before being returned to Cuba by the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.

The Cubans were spotted by a Coast Guard Sentry airplane crew on Saturday.

“The Coast Guard diligently patrols the Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea to ensure the safety of life at sea and the security of the United States,” said Rear Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the Coast Guard 7th District and director of Homeland Security Taskforce Southeast. “United States policy is to promote safe, orderly and legal travel and migration.”

An estimated 296 Cuban migrants have attempted to illegally enter the United States by boat since Oct. 1

Last month, 27 Cuban migrants crowded onto a wooden boat landed on shore in Virginia Key in Miami. A dozen escaped capture but 15 were detained by U.S. Border and Customs Protection officials for processing and removal.

“The Coast Guard diligently patrols the Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea to ensure the safety of life at sea and the security of the United States. United States policy is to promote safe, orderly and legal travel and migration.” Rear Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the Coast Guard 7th District and director of Homeland Security Taskforce Southeast

U.S. COAST GUARD/COURTESY The U.S. Coast Guard returned 27 migrants Cuba on Thursday.