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Eight Cuban citizens, six men and two women, were detained by Mexican authorities after arriving irregularly at the port of El Cuyo, in the municipality of Tizimín, in the state of Yucatán, following the sinking of the vessel they were traveling on.
According to the local media Diario de Yucatán, the discovery occurred after local residents reported the presence of the group in the coastal area.
Agents from the Municipal Police and the Public Security Secretariat (SSP) arrived at the scene and found the migrants, who explained that they had left Cuba with the intention of reaching U.S. territory by sea, but their vessel sank during the journey, off the coast of Yucatán.
The eight Cubans received food, basic medical care, and assistance from security forces, as some showed mild signs of dehydration after several days of exposure to adverse conditions at sea.
Subsequently, the National Institute of Migration (INM) was notified, and its agents moved to the police station in Tizimín to take charge of the group.
The migrants were transferred to the facilities of the INM in the city of Mérida, where their immigration status will be determined in accordance with the country's legislation.
The arrival of migrants by sea to the southeastern coasts of Mexico has become increasingly frequent amid the worsening economic, political, and social crisis in Cuba.
Many citizens choose dangerous routes on precarious boats in the hope of reaching Mexico and eventually making it to the United States.
As happened in March of this year when a cruise ship from Royal Caribbean rescued 11 Cuban rafters in the Yucatán Channel. The migrants, in danger of sinking, received medical attention, water, and food, and were taken to Cozumel, Mexico.
A few months earlier, eight raftsmen, also Cuban, were rescued by the Mexican Navy in a joint operation with the United States Coast Guard after being spotted in open water, 111 kilometers north of the port of Progreso, Yucatán.
On the other hand, El Cuyo, a peaceful fishing and tourist town, has been an occasional arrival point for Cuban migrants in recent years due to its strategic geographic location facing the Caribbean.
Frequently asked questions about the migration of Cuban rafters to Mexico
What happened to the eight Cuban rafters who arrived in Yucatán?
The eight Cuban rafters were detained by Mexican authorities after arriving irregularly at the port of El Cuyo in Yucatán. They received basic medical attention and were transferred to the facilities of the National Migration Institute in Mérida to determine their immigration status.
Why do Cubans continue to risk dangerous maritime journeys?
Many Cubans take risks on these journeys due to the economic, political, and social crisis in Cuba. The lack of opportunities and repression on the island drive citizens to seek a better life in other countries, especially in the United States, despite the dangers they face at sea.
What kind of care do Cuban rafters receive when rescued by Mexican authorities?
Upon being rescued, Cuban boaters receive immediate medical attention, food, and basic assistance. They are then transferred to Public Security facilities or the National Migration Institute to determine their legal status, which may include deportation or the request for asylum.
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