Photo Available: Coast Guard repatriates 78 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/19/2022 02:12 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 78 people to Cuba

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

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 Pablo Valent's crew repatriated 78 Cubans to Cuba, Monday, following several interdictions off Cuba, Bahamas and Florida's coast. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a fishing vessel, Thursday, at 2 p.m., about 17 miles west of Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at 8:30 a.m., about 1 mile south of Marathon. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a makeshift vessel, Saturday, at approximately 3:40 p.m., about 7 miles west of Marquesas Keys.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a fishing vessel, Saturday, at approximately 6:30 p.m., about 28 miles south of Marquesas Keys.

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Saturday, at approximately 9 p.m., about 23 miles south of Marquesas Keys.

“These voyages are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous,” said Lt. Matthew Miller, Coast Guard Seventh District. "No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels, especially during adverse weather conditions in already unpredictable seas."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 5,689 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-