Coast Guard Repatriates 14 Cuban Migrants After Vessel Spotted Offshore Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard said it repatriated 14 migrants to Cuba on Thursday after their vessel was spotted offshore The Bahamas.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West were alerted on Sept. 3 by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) air crew that a “rustic” vessel was spotted west of Elbow Cay, in the Abaco Islands of The Bahamas.

The Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent was diverted to the vessel’s location, and a small boat crew launched from Coast Guard Station Marathon. The small boat crew embarked 15 Cubans and transferred them to the Pablo Valent for processing and disposition.

One of the migrants was medically evacuated to shore. Details of their condition were not released.

The remaining 14 Cubans were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores for repatriation to Cuba, where they arrived Thursday.

“Cubans should not risk their lives taking to the sea to attempt to enter the United States illegally,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jon Girot, U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer/DHS Attaché at U.S. Embassy Havana, Cuba. “Through close coordination with our federal, state, and local partners, we maintain a strong presence across the region and interdict vessels attempting to make the dangerous journey to the Unites States.”