Photos available: Coast Guard repatriates 82 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/18/2022 12:00 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 82 people to Cuba 

A good Samaritan alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a capsized migrant vessel and people in the water about 85 miles southwest of Key West, Florida, Dec. 15, 2022. All were rescued and repatriated to Cuba on Dec. 18, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Key West's crew) Coast Guard Cutter Bernard Webber's crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this migrant vessel about 20 miles south of Sugarloaf Key, Florida, Dec. Dec. 16, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Dec. 18, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Bernard Webber'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 Charles David Jr.s' crew repatriated 82 Cubans to Cuba, Sunday, following interdictions off Florida's coast.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations airplane crew notified Sector Miami watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 9 p.m., about 15 miles southeast of Caesar Creek.

A good Samaritan alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 8:45 a.m., about 1 mile south of Sugarloaf Key.

A good Samaritan alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a capsized migrant vessel and people in the water, Thursday, at approximately 4:20 p.m., about 85 miles southwest of Key West. All were rescued.

Coast Guard Cutter Bernard Webber's crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., about 20 miles south of Sugarloaf Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations airplane crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at approximately 11 a.m., about 30 miles southeast of Tavernier Key. 

"Coast Guard and partner agency crews are out in full force off the Florida coast doing our best to stop illegal migration at sea," said Lt. j.g Nicholas Fujimoto, Coast Guard District Seven. "Don't take to the sea. Instead, use legal means of coming to the U.S."

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted 3,450 Cubans compared to: 

  • 6,182 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2022
  • 838 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021
  • 49 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
  • 313 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
  • 259 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
  • 1,468 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2017
  • 5,396 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2016

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

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-USCG-