Imagery Available: Coast Guard repatriates 55 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/17/2022 12:54 PM EDT

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 55 people to Cuba

A Custom and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement air crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 40 miles south of Key West, Florida, May 9, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba, May 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel in the vicinity of American Shoal Light, Sugarloaf Key, Florida, May 12, 2020. The people were repatriated on May 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel approximately 15 miles south of Key West, Florida, May 12, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba May 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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

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.

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton's crew repatriated 55 Cubans to Cuba, Tuesday, following six interdictions off the Florida Keys. 

Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of an inflatable, rustic vessel, May 9, at approximately 2 p.m., about 14 miles south of Cay Sal, Bahamas.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement air crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, May 9, at approximately 5 p.m., about 40 miles south of Key West.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Thursday, at approximately 8 a.m., in the vicinity of American Shoal Light. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Thursday, at approximately 9:45 a.m., approximately 15 miles south of Key West. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately noon, approximately 33 miles south of Key West. 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement air crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 6:30 p.m., about 40 miles south of Marathon.

“Illegally crossing the unpredictable Florida Straits in rustic, makeshift vessels is very dangerous and can result in loss of life," said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Cobb, a Coast Guard District Seven enforcement officer. "Encourage your loved ones to migrate legally, it is safer." 

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 1,879 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. 

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-USCG-