52 migrants repatriated to Cuba

52 migrants repatriated to Cuba

Twenty of the migrants were on a boat with six people who had serious
gunshot wounds and stayed in the country due to receiving medical attention
BY CARLI TEPROFF
cteproff@miamiherald.com

The Coast Guard on Wednesday repatriated 52 migrants to Bahia de
Cabañas, Cuba, including 20 people who were on a boat intercepted over
the weekend that had seven people suffering from gunshot wounds.

The group, which was on the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo, also included
migrants from two other interceptions over the weekend.

On Saturday, an aircrew of Air Station Clearwater HC-130, spotted a
makeshift raft south of Key West. Crews found 26 Cubans, seven of whom
were shot. The most critical six were to taken to a hospital on Stock
Island.

Then on Sunday, the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton spotted a vessel
south of Key West, with seven people aboard. Later that day, aircrew saw
a 35-foot center console vessel south of Dry Tortugas with 25 Cuban
migrants aboard.

"Safety of life at sea continues to be the Coast Guard's primary
concern," said Capt. Mark Gordon, chief of enforcement for the Coast
Guard 7th District in a statement. "The dangerous waters of the Florida
Straits can be unforgiving for the unprepared on ill advised and illegal
voyages."

Since Oct. 1, the Coast Guard 7th District estimates that 2,753 Cubans
have attempted to illegally migrate to the United States by sea.

Earlier this month, 58 Cuban migrants intercepted at sea on several
vessels were repatriated.

Carli Teproff: 305-376-3587, @CTeproff

Source: 52 migrants repatriated to Cuba | Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article69133612.html