Photo Available: Coast Guard repatriates 68 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/20/2022 03:13 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 68 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore's crew locates a rustic vessel about 20 miles southeast of Rodriguez Key, Florida, Sept. 18, 2022. The Cutter Paul Clark repatriated 68 people to Cuba on Sept. 20, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Halbrooks)

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 Paul Clark's crew repatriated 68 Cubans to Cuba, Tuesday, following three interdictions off Florida's coast. 

Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 9:45 a.m., about 20 miles southeast of Rodriguez Key.

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 12:11 p.m., about 9 miles south of Marquesas Keys.

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 7:50 p.m., about 15 miles southwest of Key West.

“Illegally migrating on rustic, makeshift vessels without safety equipment such as a life jacket is dangerous,” said Petty Officer First Class Nicole J. Groll, Coast Guard Seventh District. "Risking your lives during these ventures cause loved ones unnecessary anxiety from not knowing if you are safe or lost at sea."

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-