USCG: 97 Cuban Migrants Sent Back to Cuba

The US Coast Guard repatriated 97 Cuban migrants that were rescued during a busy week of illegal migration attempts from Cuba.

The repatriation was the result of 10 separate groups attempting to illegally enter the United States aboard rustic vessels in the Florida Straits dating back to July 14, 2014.

“Our main concern is the safety of life at sea. When migrants put their lives in the hands of smugglers, or take to the sea aboard unseaworthy vessels, they put their lives at grave risk,” said Capt. Mark Fedor, chief of response for the Seventh Coast Guard District. “The Coast Guard and our partner agencies continue to diligently patrol the waters around the United States to deter illegal migrant activity.”

Coast Guard assets involved in the cases were:
· Coast Guard Cutter William Flores, a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in Miami.
· Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark, a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in Miami.
· Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr., a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in Key West, Florida.
· The Coast Guard Cutter Legare, a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia.
· Coast Guard Station Key West smallboat crew.
· Coast Guard Islamorada, Florida smallboat crew.

In the month of July 377 Cuban migrants have been interdicted by the Coast Guard.[mappress]