Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 30 people to Cuba

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 30 people to Cuba

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 30 Cubans to Cuba, Monday, following several interdictions off Florida's coast.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of two makeshift vessels, Thursday, at approximately 8 p.m., about 52 miles south of Marathon.

Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.'s crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a fishing vessel, Friday, at approximately 2 a.m., about 32 miles south of Big Pine Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 4 p.m., about 64 miles south of Sugarloaf Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 5:40 p.m., about 66 miles south of Key.

"Coast Guard and our partners are committed to stopping illegal ventures, preventing unsafe voyages at sea and enforcing U.S. immigration laws and regulations," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada, Coast Guard District Seven. "Those rescued or stopped at sea will be repatriated back to their country of origin."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 4,822 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-