Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 203 people to Cuba

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 203 to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel about 14 miles south of Boca Chica, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled fishing vessel about 26 miles south of Key West. Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled fishing vessel about 28 miles south of Key West, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled fishing vessel about 30 miles south of Boca Grande, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled vessel about 26 miles south of Stock Island, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled fishing vessel about 28 miles south of Key West, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 18 miles south of Marquesas Key. Florida, Aug. 18, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 30 miles south of Plantation Key, Florida, Aug. 18, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this fishing vessel about 25 miles south of Marquesas Key, Florida, Aug. 18, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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

To download Cuban interdiction process video, click this link.

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

Para personas que residen en los EE.UU buscando información sobre un familiar posiblemente interceptado por la Guardia Costera, por favor comuníquese con su representante gubernamental local. 

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutters Robert Yered and Pablo Valents' crews repatriated 203 Cubans to Cuba, Saturday, following 14 interdictions off Florida's coast.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Tuesday, about 130 miles east of Cancun, Mexico.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 9:50 a.m., about 14 miles south of Boca Chica.

Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans' crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at 3:30 p.m., about 40 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans' crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a disabled fishing vessel, Wednesday, at 9 p.m., about 25 miles south of Key West.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a disabled vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 9:50 p.m., about 26 miles south of Stock Island.

Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic boat at approximately 9:50 p.m., Wednesday, about 27 miles south of Boca Chica.

A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a disabled fishing vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 9:50 p.m., about 28 miles south of Key West.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a disabled fishing vessel, Wednesday, at 10 p.m., about 26 miles south of Key West.

A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a disabled fishing vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 10:15 p.m., about 30 miles south of Boca Grande.

Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel at approximately 6:45 a.m., Thursday, about 30 miles southeast of Cay Sal, Bahamas.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Thursday, at approximately 11:20 a.m., about 18 miles south of Marquesas Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a fishing vessel, Thursday, at approximately 11:20 a.m., about 25 miles south of Marquesas Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel at approximately 1 p.m., Thursday, about 30 miles south of Plantation Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel at approximately 2:40 p.m., Thursday, about 18 miles east of Key Largo.

"In 2016, the Wet Foot, Dry Foot policy was repealed," said Lt. Travis Poulos, Coast Guard District Seven. "Those rescued or stopped at sea will be brought back to their country of origin, or the country they departed."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 4,440 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-