Coast Guard Repatriates 74 Cubans to Cuba

Coast Guard Repatriates 74 Cubans to Cuba

Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew repatriated 74 people to Cuba on Saturday, March 12, following four interdictions of undocumented migrants due to safety of life at sea concerns.

“Coast Guard crews and our partners patrol the Florida Straits, the Windward and Mona Passages, maintaining an active presence with air and sea assets,” said Capt. Shawn Koch, Coast Guard Air Station commanding officer. “Working together, our crews help prevent people from losing their lives by removing them from these unsafe voyages.”

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 921 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

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdictions, Coast Guard crew members were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19.