Photo Available: Coast Guard repatriates 62 people, 1 dog to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/23/2022 03:09 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 62 people, 1 dog to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 10 mile south of Duck Key, Florida, Aug. 20, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this makeshift vessel about 1 mile south of Alligator Reef, Florida, Aug. 21, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) An interdicted migrant vessel approximately 17 miles south of Big Pine Key, Florida, Aug. 19, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 23, 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 Cutter Charles David Jr.'s crew repatriated 62 Cubans and a dog to Cuba, Tuesday, following several interdictions off the Florida's coast.

Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless' crew alerted Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 2 a.m., about 29 miles southeast of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Friday, at approximately 2 p.m., about 39 miles north of Havana, Cuba.

Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Friday, at approximately 3 p.m., about 17 miles south of Big Pine Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Saturday, at approximately 12 p.m., about 10 mile south of Duck Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Saturday, at 11:30 a.m., about 12 miles south of Boca Grande.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Sunday, at approximately 1 p.m., about 1 mile south of Alligator Reef.

Coast Guard Cutter Tampa's crew alerted District Seven watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Sunday, at 5 p.m., 21 miles south of Islamorada.

Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Monday, at 12 a.m., about 29 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Monday, at 1 a.m., about 23 miles southwest of Key West.

“You will be repatriated to your country of origin or sent back to the country you departed from when interdicted at sea," said Chief Stephen Lehman, Coast Guard District Seven. "Coast Guard and partner agency crews are patrolling the Florida Straits, and Windward and Mona Passages to deter illegal migration." 

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 4,575 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-