Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 36 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/21/2022 02:17 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 36 people to Cuba

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 60 miles south of Key West, Florida, June 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 43 miles south of Key West, Florida, June 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuna on June 21, 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 Issac Mayo's crew repatriated 36 Cubans to Cuba, Tuesday, following three interdictions off the Florida Keys.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 4:45 p.m., about 43 miles south of Key West.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 6:45 p.m., about 60 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Confidence's crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 10 a.m., about 28 miles south of Islamorada.

"Our crews work tirelessly to ensure the South Florida Straits remain safe," said Lt. Paul Benyovszky, Coast Guard Sector Key West deputy enforcement chief. "These migration attempts are inherently dangerous and these men, women, and children are taking a great risk attempting to navigate unpredictable seas in unsafe, overloaded, rustic vessels." 

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. 

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-