U.S. returns 40 migrants to Cuba after intercepting two vessels
Reuters
Published Jan 28, 2022 03:55PM ET
Updated Jan 28, 2022 06:05PM ET
By Brian Ellsworth
MIAMI (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday said it has returned 40 people to Cuba after intercepting two vessels near Florida while two people were being investigated for human smuggling.
Increasing numbers of migrants are trying their luck at sea amid growing economic problems in Caribbean nations.
The vessels were spotted near the Florida Keys on Sunday and on Tuesday. Two suspected smugglers were transferred to Homeland Security Investigations, a Coast Guard statement said.
"People illegally entering the U.S. using smugglers put their lives in the hands of criminals," said Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Mark Cobb. "Migrant smugglers are ruthless criminals who only care about profit."
U.S. sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced international tourism, have hurt Cuba's economy. The Coast Guard said that its crews have interdicted 690 Cubans since Oct. 1, compared with 838 in the 12 months ending on Sept. 30.
Haitian boat migration is on the rise due to an economic downturn and a spike in gang-related kidnappings that have worsened since the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
The Coast Guard on Thursday said it had intercepted a sailing vessel carrying 191 Haitians. [L1N2U723B]
It also called off its search for 34 people who disappeared after a boat carrying 40 people capsized off Florida's coast. U.S. authorities have not released the nationalities of those on board.
Five bodies were recovered, and there was one survivor. Colombia's foreign ministry on Friday said it would assist that survivor, a citizen identified as Juan Montoya, who was transferred to a Miami hospital in the custody of immigration authorities. His sister, Maria Montoya, died in the accident.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.