Seven Cuban rafters arrive at Isla Mujeres, Mexico

The Mexican Navy rescued seven Cuban rafters who were adrift about 12 nautical miles northeast of Isla Mujeres, in Quintana Roo.

The personnel of the Ninth Naval Region of the Mexican Navy detected a rustic boat in which the seven men were trying to reach land.

After the rescue of the rafters, the small boat continued at sea and landed, driven by the current and waves, on the east coast of the island near a place known as Fovissste.

According to local media, the discovery seen by the residents attracted their attention, who were wondering about the fate of the boat's occupants.

In a press release issued by the authorities, they explained that “the Port Captaincy of Isla Mujeres reported through a call to the Command and Control Room of the Ninth Naval Region about a non-propelled and artisanal vessel, with crew members. “allegedly undocumented in the vicinity of Isla Mujeres.”

The rafters were rescued by two Defender-type boats from the Ninth Naval Region that were located approximately 22 kilometers from the island.

The Cubans were transferred to the Puerto Juárez Naval Station and attended to by the authorities, who placed them at the disposal of the National Institute of Migration and International Health, to evaluate their situation in the country.

Last December, The Mexican Navy rescued seven Cuban rafters who were traveling with their pet in a small boat and they were lost 200 kilometers northwest of Isla Mujeres.

Two women, five men and a small breed dog were traveling on the boat, which were taken to Mexico and handed over to the National Immigration Institute to carry out the corresponding legal procedures, reports an official statement from the Secretary of the Navy (Semar).

At the beginning of the year, another group, but composed of eight rafters this time, were rescued by the Ninth Naval Region and placed at the disposal of the National Migration Institute.

The precarious boat of the Cuban rafters landed on Isla Contoy and was stranded on the beach. The eight migrants tried to enter Mexico illegally to continue their route to the United States by land, but they were intercepted by the authorities.

The same thing happened with 16 Cuban rafters detected, at the beginning of February, six nautical miles, approximately 11 kilometers, northeast of Isla Contoy, in Quintana Roo.