The United States Coast Guard (USCG) rescued a migrant traveling on a water bike near Cuba on Friday.
The crew of the cutter Maple transported the man to the Bahamas on Friday, following an interdiction 6 miles southwest of Cay Sal – northeast of Varadero – after being detected by a crew, the entity reported in a statement on X.
He warned that tropical storms can pose a significant risk for illegal maritime migration; and although he did not mention the nationality of the boat person, it cannot be ruled out that he may be from Cuba, a country currently experiencing a serious migration crisis.
It is not the first time that young people from the island attempt to cross the Florida Strait en route to the U.S. on water bicycles.
In July 2022, the Coast Guard intercepted three young Cubans attempting to reach Florida on a jet ski. They were eventually repatriated along with 77 Cuban rafters in an operation that involved several interceptions off the Florida Keys.
In December of that same year, three men who had left Cuba on a pedal boat were reported missing after not being found in a search conducted by the authorities.
The desperation of Cuban migrants is a reflection of the difficult economic and political conditions on the island, and poses serious risks for those undertaking these dangerous journeys.
The USCG and other authorities continue to warn about the dangers associated with illegal maritime migration and assure that they will return intercepted migrants at sea to their countries.
In this case, the migrant was taken to the Bahamas after being found in the territorial waters of that country.
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