MIAMI — The Coast Guard has repatriated 64 Cuban migrants caught attempting to enter by means of the Keys.
Here is what Coast Guard officers stated about their operation:
— Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark’s crew repatriated 64 Cubans to Cuba, Sunday, following interdictions off the Florida Keys.
— Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent’s crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a country vessel, Thursday, at roughly 9 p.m., about 25 miles south of Key West.
— Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent’s crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a country vessel, Thursday, at roughly 11:30 p.m., about 30 miles south of Key West.
— A very good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at roughly 8:15 a.m., about 14 miles south of Boot Key.
— A very good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Friday, at roughly 5:30 p.m., about 40 miles south of Key West.
“Migrating illegally in makeshift vessels, especially without life jackets or safety equipment, is incredibly dangerous,” stated Lt. Paul Puddington, Coast Guard District Seven. “Please, for your own safety, don’t take to the sea.”
Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 3,067 Cubans in comparison with:
— 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
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