Coast Guard repatriates 43 migrants to Cuba

THE UNITED States Coast Guard says the crew of its cutter Bernard Webber crew on Saturday repatriated 43 Cuban migrants to their homeland following four interdictions off the Florida Keys.

The US Coast Guard said an Air Station Clearwater C-130 Hercules lawenforcement air crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel last Tuesday, about 40 miles south of Long Key, Florida.

The US Coast Guard also said that a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law-enforcement air crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel the following day, last Wednesday – about 50 miles south of Islamorada, Florida.

Later in the day, another vessel was spotted, about 45 miles south of Big Pine Key, Florida, and another was seen 65 miles south of Marathon, Florida.

“The Coast Guard and our partners have increased air and surface patrols in the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages,” said Petty Officer Nicole J. Groll, Coast Guard District Seven. “These waterways are dangerous, unpredictable, and the risk for loss of life is great.”

Since October 1, 2021, the US Coast Guard said its crews interdicted 1,952 Cubans, compared to 5,396 in fiscal year 2016; 1,468 the following year; 259 in 2018; 313 in 2019; 49 in 2020; and 838 in 2021.