03/03/2023
The authorities in Havana report 41 operations involving Cubans deported from different countries in 2023.
The Cuban irregular migrants who have been deported from different countries in 41 operations this year are already 2,601, reported this Thursday (03.02.2023) the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) of Cuba.
In the return of 128 citizens transferred from the Bahamas to Havana, 106 men, 20 women and two minors arrived by air, for a total of 459 returnees from that country in 2023.
According to the ministry, one of these individuals was arrested because she was believed to be responsible for committing serious criminal acts that were the subject of investigations before taking part in the illegal exit from Cuba.
The day before, this government agency reported the deportation from the United States of 41 Cuban rafters who had participated in five illegal exits from the country and were intercepted at sea by the US Coast Guard (SGC).
The Cuban authorities affirm that they maintain their commitment “to regular, safe and orderly migration” and insist on “the dangers and life-threatening conditions that illegal exits from the country by sea pose”.
Deportations from five countries
In addition to the Bahamas and the USA, other illegal migrants have been deported to Cuba from the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic and Mexico so far this year.
In the case of the United States, US Coast Guard crews have intercepted more than 5,740 Cubans since October 1 of last year – which marks the beginning of the current fiscal year – a high number compared to previous years.
The Washington government introduced a policy in early 2023 to take in 30,000 migrants a month from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua.
In parallel, it will immediately expel to Mexico undocumented migrants from those countries attempting to irregularly cross the southern border into its territory.
For its part, Mexico has agreed to accept 30,000 migrants a month who are being deported from US territory.
jc (efe, Cubanet)