Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 90 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/27/2022 04:25 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: 786-812-6230
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard repatriates 90 people to Cuba

A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this disabled fishing vessel about 2 miles south of Key West, Florida, Aug. 24, 2022. The people who were aboard were repatriated to Cuba on Aug. 27, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Station Key West law enforcement crew transfers Cuban migrants from the cutter Diligence to the cutter Raymond Evans off Key West, Florida, Aug. 26, 2022. Coast Guard cutters hold migrants interdicted at sea until they are repatriated to their country of origin. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gregory Schell) Cg repat Coast Guard Repat

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 Raymond Evans' crew repatriated 90 Cubans to Cuba, Saturday, following several interdictions off Florida's coast.

A Coast Guard Station Key West rescue crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of people in the water, Wednesday, at approximately 4 p.m., about 2 miles south of Key West. The people stated they entered the water after their vessel's engine began smoking.

Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.'s crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at 6:15 p.m., about 29 miles south of Saddlebunch Keys.

Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.'s crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at 8:15 p.m., about 26 miles south of Marquesas Keys.

Coast Guard Cutter William Flores' crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 8:30 p.m., about 32 miles south of Long Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Thursday, at approximately 8 p.m., about 46 miles south of Key West.

“The Coast Guard is maintaining a heavy maritime presence to detect and interdict anyone attempting to illegally migrate by sea in the Florida Straits and Caribbean region,” said Lt. Paul Puddington, Coast Guard Seventh District. "These voyages are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous. No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 4,614 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-