Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 74 people to Cuba

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 74 people to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this sailing vessel about 30 miles southeast of Plantation Key, Florida, Nov. 12, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew alerted Sector Miami watchstanders of this migrant vessel, Sunday about 10 miles southeast of Government Cut, Florida. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Nov. 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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 Edgar Culberston's crew repatriated 74 Cubans to Cuba, Wednesday, following interdictions off Florida's coast. 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Thursday, at approximately 6:15 p.m. about 50 miles south of Rodriguez Key.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel, Saturday, at approximately 1:45 p.m., about 30 miles southeast of Plantation Key. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 airplane crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., about 50 miles south of Big Pine Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew alerted Sector Miami watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 11:45 p.m. about 10 miles southeast of Government Cut.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 8:05 p.m. about 5 miles south of Boca Grande.

Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culberton's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 10 p.m., about 20 miles south of Marquesas Key.

"Coast Guard and our partners are doing our best to save people before the sea claims a life," said Lt. Connor Ives, Coast Guard District Seven. 

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,005 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-