US Coast Guards repatriates 39 Cuban nationals

Havana, Cuba: Around 39 Cuban nationals were repatriated by the Coast Guard officers of the United States. The authorities informed the crew of the cutter Raymond Evan repatriated Cubans back to Cuba, following the four bans amid the safety of life at sea concerns off the Florida Keys.  

Lieutenant Paul Puddington, the enforcement officer, cited, “The Coast Guard holds a robust presence in the Florida Straits, Windward Passage and Mona Passage with the assistance of surface and air assets. 

“We would continue to put a heightened priority on patrolling offshore in order to prevent illegal migration, save lives by removing migrants from unsafe environments and averting dangerous illegal activities”. 

As per the statement issued by the US Coast Guard officials, Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic ship was seen by the Mohawk’s crew on Sunday at around 7:15 am (local time), about 10 miles off Stock Island, Florida.  

The cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew informed Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic ship on Monday at about 8:25 am, about nine miles off Key West. While on the same day (Monday), the officials further noted that a towing vessel’s crewmember notified Sector Key West watchstanders of two rustic ships about 10:15 am, about 10 miles off Long Key, Florida. 

Also, the Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew reported Sector Key West watchstanders of a vessel at around 12:45 pm., about 45 miles off Big Pine Key, Florida.   

A total of 462 Cuban nationals have been halted to enter the United States since October 1, 2021, by the officers of the US Coast, the officials furthermore highlighted. 

After 1995, the then United States administration, in talks with the Cuban government authorities, prohibited the entry of the Cuban nationals via U.S. territorial waters. 

Since then, numerous embargoes have also been imposed by the United States on Cuba, which worsened the condition of the Caribbean island, especially in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting its GDP. 

Meanwhile, several countries around the globe have asked the US government to lift the bans.