Photo release: Coast Guard repatriates 80 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/16/2022 11:54 AM 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 80 people to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel about 60 miles south of Sugarloaf Key, Florida, Oct. 12, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Oct. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
  A Coast Guard Air Station Miami law enforcement airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a migrant vessel about 30 miles southwest of Key West, Florida, Oct. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Oct. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami law enforcement airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a migrant vessel about 30 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, Oct. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Oct. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami aircrew)
  A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel about 20 miles south of Key West, Florida, Oct. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated on Oct. 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder's crew) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel about 20 miles south of Key West, Florida, Oct. 14, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Oct. 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Marathon's crew)

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 Cutters William Flores and Paul Clark crews' repatriated 80 Cubans to Cuba, Saturday and Sunday, following interdictions off Florida's coast. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 7:30 p.m., about 60 miles south of Sugarloaf Key. 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Thursday, at approximately 11:30 a.m., about 20 miles south of Key West.   

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami law enforcement airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a migrant vessel, Thursday, at approximately, 1:30 p.m., about 30 miles southwest of Key West.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami law enforcement airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a migrant vessel, Thursday, at approximately, 2:15 p.m., about 30 miles southeast of Marathon.

A Coast Guard Station Islamorada law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at approximately 8:30 a.m., in the vicinity of Tavernier Creek Marina.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at approximately 9:15 a.m., about 20 miles south of Key West.  

"Choose a safe and legal path when coming to the U.S. so families are not wondering where their loved ones are when they choose to illegally migrate," said Petty Officer Nicole J. Groll, Coast Guard District Seven.

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted 388 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
  • 6,182 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2022

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. 

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-USCG-