U.S. Coast Guard repatriates 14 Cuban migrants following interdiction near Elbow Cay

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores repatriated 14 Cuban migrants to Cuba Thursday following a maritime interdiction off Elbow Cay, officials announced.

The interdiction began Sept. 3 when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew spotted a rustic vessel about 13 miles west of Elbow Cay. Sector Key West watchstanders dispatched the Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent and a small boat crew from Station Marathon to intercept the vessel.

Coast Guard crews boarded 15 people for processing. One person was medically evacuated to shore for emergency medical care, while the remaining 14 were transferred to the William Flores for repatriation.

“Cubans should not risk their lives taking to the sea to attempt to enter the United States illegally,” Lt. Cmdr. Jon Girot, U.S. Coast Guard liaison officer and Department of Homeland Security attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Havana said. “Through close coordination with our federal, state, and local partners, we maintain a strong presence across the region and interdict vessels attempting to make the dangerous journey to the United States.”

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, interdicted migrants undergo identity verification and receive food, water, shelter and basic medical care before repatriation.

The interdiction was part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, an ongoing multiagency effort deploying air, land, and sea assets across the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, Mona Passage, and Caribbean Sea to deter illegal maritime entry and protect safety of life at sea.