U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Crew Repatriates 61 Cubans Following Interdictions Off Florida Coast

By U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast // July 4, 2022

Coast Guard crews have interdicted 3,037 cuban since oct. 2021

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew repatriated 61 Cubans to Cuba, Saturday, following several interdictions off the Florida Keys. (U.S. Coast Guard image)

(U.S. COAST GUARD) – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew repatriated 61 Cubans to Cuba, Saturday, following several interdictions off the Florida Keys.

A good Samaritan alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 1 p.m., about 3 miles south of Man Key.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater C-130 Hercules aircrew notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at 2:20 p.m., about 55 miles southwest of Marquesa.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., about 61 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.

A good Samaritan alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 7:30 p.m., about 66 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 12 a.m., about 45 miles south of Marathon.

“Coast Guard crews maintain an active presence with air and sea assets every day through the Florida Straits to help save lives by removing people from unsafe environments,” said Lt. Karolina Del Hierro Vega, Coast Guard Seventh District.

“Our crews help prevent people from losing their lives in these dangerous attempts.”

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 3,037 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

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