Twenty Cuban rafters spotted near the coasts of Mexico are detained.

The migrants had been seen by fishermen as they made their way toward Mexico.

Migrantes detenidos © Quinta Fuerza
Detained migrantsPhoto © Quinta Fuerza

Mexican authorities arrested the 20 Cuban rafters this Saturday who were spotted by local fishermen near the coast of Isla Mujeres.

The migrants were detained at a police checkpoint in Punta Sam, located in the municipality of Isla Mujeres, while traveling on a public transportation van, reported the local media Quinta Fuerza.

The undocumented individuals arrived in the country on a precarious makeshift boat, which was found abandoned on the shores.

After being detained, they were placed at the disposal of the National Migration Institute (INM), which could begin a deportation process.

On Friday, the media outlet Quintana Roo News had released a video filmed by Mexican fishermen showing migrants crowded in a boat heading towards the coasts of Mexico; however, no further information had been known about it.

The publication warned that the rafters were traveling in a fragile and overloaded vessel of homemade manufacture, equipped with an adapted motor for propulsion.

The Cuban migration crisis has sent many immigrants onto dangerous sea routes that lead them to the Mexican coasts.

In May, 51 migrants were detained aboard two boats in the country.

Four migrants were also rescued in critical condition after a 34-day journey. Six others had died.

On Friday, the Isla Mujeres Police arrested 11 Cuban rafters who were traveling in a public transport vehicle after arriving in the country on an improvised boat.

The migrants disembarked after a dangerous maritime journey and tried to enter the territory through the Punta Sam area, but were intercepted at one of the checkpoints of the local police.

Undocumented immigrants are in police custody until their legal situation is resolved. It is likely that some of these Cubans will be deported to the island.

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