Some 45 migrants found off the Florida Keys were  repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

By  Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The U.S. Coast Guard returned  45 migrants back to Cuba on Sunday after interdicting them last week off the Florida Keys.  Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s crew repatriated the illegal Cubans following four interdictions from the Keys.  

“The possibility of being stopped by Coast Guard crews while illegally migrating through the Caribbean Sea is high,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Cobb, Coast Guard Seventh District. “No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas.”

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Wednesday, at approximately 11:30 p.m., about 12 miles south of Boot Key. 

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 12 miles south of Boot Key, Florida, June 15, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 17 miles south of Long Key, Florida, June 17, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 19, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Sharp Increase in Illegal Migrants interdicted at sea in 2022

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,464 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

SOURCE:  U.S. Coast Guard

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