Ten Cuban nationals were detained by Jamaican immigration authorities after being discovered entering the country illegally by sea.
Cubans were being processed, until Sunday afternoon, by members of the St. James Police Division and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), local media reported.
According to the information, the Cubans arrived in four boats and were divided into two groups.
"On Saturday, October 26, at approximately 6:30 p.m., three small boats carrying about seven Cuban citizens reached the shores of Jamaica," noted Roderick Reid, commander of Zone One, during a press meeting in Montego Bay on Sunday.
The deputy police superintendent also added that "the police intercepted the individuals on the main road of Unity Hall and took them into custody. There are indications that they entered the country illegally."
Reid referred to another incident that occurred on Sunday, when, around 10:43 a.m., another vessel with three Cuban citizens entered Jamaican waters.
The Cubans were detained in various locations, the authorities explained. Seven were arrested on the main street of Unity Hall in the parish on Saturday afternoon, while the others were apprehended on the property of a popular hotel in Rose Hall, St. James, on Sunday morning.
"The 10 Cuban citizens are in custody at the Montego Bay Police Station, where they are being processed by the police and external partners, including PICA and Immigration," Reid stated.
The official told the media that two of the Cubans, who have some knowledge of English, admitted to fleeing their country due to the difficulties they are currently facing, underlining the growing trend of irregular migration from Cuba.
This exodus occurs in a critical context for Cubans, as the country experienced a widespread blackout last week and was struck by Hurricane Oscar in its eastern region, further exacerbating the economic and social situation.
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