Imagery Release: Coast Guard repatriates 45 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/19/2022 12:48 PM EDT

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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 45 people to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 12 miles south of Boot Key, Florida, June 15, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 22 miles south of Big Pine Key, Florida, June 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 17 miles south of Long Key, Florida, June 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton's crew repatriated 45 Cubans to Cuba, Sunday, following four interdictions off the Florida Keys.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 11:30 p.m., about 12 miles south of Boot Key.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 11:45 a.m., about 17 miles south of Long Key.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately noon, about 17 miles south of Big Pine Key.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately noon, about 22 miles south of Big Pine Key.

"The possibility of being stopped by Coast Guard crews while illegally migrating through the Caribbean Sea is high," said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Cobb, Coast Guard Seventh District. "No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,464 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-