Coast Guard Interdicts 9 Cuban Migrants

A Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton small boat crew interdicts a Cuban migrant vessel about 25 miles southeast of Tavernier Creek, Florida, on Jan. 2. U.S. Coast Guard

MIAMI — The Coast Guard interdicted nine Cuban migrants 25 miles southeast of Tavernier Creek on Jan. 2, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release.

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a notification via radio of a migrant vessel with nine people aboard. The watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Islamorada response boat and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton (WPC-1108) to interdict the vessel.

The cutter crew interdicted the vessel and safely embarked the migrants.

One migrant was transferred into U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody after being brought ashore for more advanced medical care.

The remaining eight migrants were safely repatriated to Cuba on Jan. 4.

A total of 52 Cuban migrants have attempted to illegally enter the U.S. via the maritime environment in fiscal year 2020, which began Oct. 1, 2019, compared to 454 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2019.  These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

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