PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard repatriates 30 Cubans to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/14/2021 02:26 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
After Hours: 305-202-3735
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard repatriates 30 Cubans to Cuba

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat crew and Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s small boat crew stop a vessel, Dec. 9, 2021, approximately 40 miles south of Key West, Florida. Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evan's crew repatriated 30 people to Cuba Dec. 14 following four interdictions due to safety of life at sea concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat crew and Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s small boat crew stop a vessel, Dec. 9, 2021, approximately 35 miles south of Key West, Florida. Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evan's crew repatriated 30 people to Cuba Dec. 14 following four interdictions due to safety of life at sea concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)A Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s small boat crew stops a vessel, Dec. 9, 2021, approximately 45 miles south of Key West, Florida. Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evan's crew repatriated 30 people to Cuba Dec. 14 following four interdictions due to safety of life at sea concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Hernandez)

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high-resolution versions.

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evan's crew repatriated 30 people to Cuba, Tuesday, following three interdictions due to safety of life at sea concerns.

 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew reported to Sector Key West watchstanders at about 1:30 p.m., Thursday, a vessel approximately 40 miles south of Key West.

 

A CBP AMO flight crew reported to Sector Key West watchstanders at about noon, Thursday, a vessel approximately 35 miles south of Key West.

 

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry flight crew reported to Sector Key West watchstanders at about 5:30 p.m., Thursday, a vessel approximately 45 miles south of Key West.

 

“Coast Guard crews and our partners patrol the Florida Straits and the Windward and Mona Passages, maintaining a presence with air and sea assets each and every day," said Capt. Shawn Koch, Coast Guard Air Station commanding officer. "Working together, our crews help prevent people from losing their lives in these dangerous attempts."

 

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 410 Cubans compared to: 

  • 5,396 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2016
  • 1,468 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2017
  • 259 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
  • 313 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
  • 49 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
  • 838 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdiction, Coast Guard crew members were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19. 

Family members in the United States inquiring about possible family members interdicted at sea, please contact your local U.S. representative. Relatives located outside the United States please contact your local U.S. Embassy.

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-USCG-