Imagery Release: Coast Guard repatriates 21 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/09/2022 11:36 AM EDT

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News Release  

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

Coast Guard repatriates 21 people to Cuba

An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 60 miles south of Key West, Florida, June 6, 2022. The people were repatriated on June 9, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami) An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 50 miles southwest of Marquesas Key, Florida, June 6, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 9, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami)

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

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew repatriated 21 Cubans to Cuba, Thursday, following interdictions off the Florida Keys. 

An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 6:15 p.m., about 60 miles south of Key West.

An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 7:45 p.m., about 50 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.

Coast Guard Cutter William Trump's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders about a rustic vessel dead in the water, Monday, at approximately 11:45 p.m., about 26 miles southwest of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas. 

"Illegally migrating though the Caribbean Sea in unseaworthy vessels lacking safety equipment raises the risk of losing your life and never seeing your loved ones again," said Petty Officer 1st Class David Micallef, Coast Guard Seventh District. "We ask families to not encourage these voyages."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,319 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-