Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 67 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/07/2022 04:03 PM EST

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 67 people to Cuba

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 14 miles southeast of Tavernier, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 7, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Islamorada's crew) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 16 miles south of Indian Key, Florida, Nov. 5, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 7, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Islamorada's crew)
A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 6 miles south of Channel Five Bridge, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 7, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami's air crew) A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 25 miles south of Islamorada, Florida, Nov. 5, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 7, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Islamorada'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 Cutter Richard Etheridge's crew repatriated 67 Cubans to Cuba, Monday, following interdictions off Florida's coast. 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Thursday, at 9 p.m., about 14 miles southeast of Tavernier.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at 7 p.m., about 6 miles south of Channel Five Bridge.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Saturday, at 5:30 p.m., about 16 miles south of Indian Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Saturday, at 8 p.m., about 25 miles south of Islamorada.

"Subtropical Storm Nicole is a large storm already causing rough seas and high winds," said Petty Officer Nicole J. Groll, Coast Guard District Seven. "We've had 8 deaths this fiscal year due to illegal migration, and we do not want a repeat of the loss of life seen from Hurricane Ian. Don't take to the sea."

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted 1,588 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-