Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 64 people, 1 dog 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 64 people, 1 dog 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 64 Cubans and a dog to Cuba, Wednesday, following several interdictions off Florida's coast.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Friday, at approximately 12:30 a.m., about 40 miles south of Key Largo.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Saturday, at approximately 3 p.m., about 32 miles south of Key West.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Sunday, at 10 a.m., about 10 miles south of Plantation Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., about 1 mile south of Sugarloaf Key.

A Coast Guard Station Key West rescue crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of two fishing vessels, Monday, at 3 p.m., about 3 miles south of Marquesas Islands.

"Attempting to illegally migrate through the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages using less than seaworthy vessels is extremely dangerous," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson, Coast Guard District Seven. "No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 5,006 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-