A rudimentary boat,apparently constructed from plastic containers and covered with a blue tarp, was spotted floating near the shore of Miami Beach on Friday morning.
The video, shared by the popular Instagram account @OnlyInDade, showed the structure slowly making its way to shore, while several users speculated about its origin.
The images, taken around 7:49 a.m., captured the attention of hundreds of internet users, many of whom quickly connected the raft to a possible journey of Cuban migrants who might have crossed the Strait of Florida in search of freedom and better opportunities.
Although the images do not reveal how many people were under the boat's tarp, in one shot it was possible to see a man rowing towards the shore with a single paddle in his hands.
At the time of writing this note, there is no official confirmation from the authorities nor clear evidence that they are Cuban citizens. However, comments on social media suggested that possibility.
Some users praised the "ingenuity" of those who built the makeshift raft, highlighting the use of blue to blend in with the sea, while others made ironic comments about the critical housing situation in Miami, joking that it was "a floating house for rent."
“Can someone tell us what's going on here?” wrote the account in the video description, accompanied by dozens of messages of support, humor, outrage, and political debate.
Divided opinions
The comments on the video surpassed 400 in less than 24 hours and reflected a mix of emotions and divided opinions.
Many users expressed admiration and empathy for what they consider an act of bravery. "Congratulations, what courage," wrote one internet user, while another confidently stated, "Brother, those are rafters who came from Cuba."
Messages of support were mixed with comments that highlighted the ingenuity of the construction and the harsh reality that might lie behind it. Others were ironic, referring to the vessel as "the new stealth destroyer of the Cuban navy," or enthusiastically celebrating: "Welcome to the land of freedom, Cubans fleeing that wicked dictatorship, God bless you."
However, not everyone shared the same interpretation. Some users questioned whether the individuals were actually migrants and speculated that the boat could be the work of a homeless person seeking refuge at sea, or even an influencer recording content, due to the apparent calm of those on board and the proximity of the vessel to urban areas like the surroundings of Mount Sinai Hospital, a heavily trafficked spot in the Bay of Miami.
So far, neither the U.S. Coast Guard nor local authorities have issued statements regarding the origin or destination of the vessel. However, the scene brings back a reality that does not fade: dangerous journeys on rickety rafts remain a desperate option for many people trying to escape the crisis in Cuba.
Rafters continue to arrive in Florida despite deportations and tougher immigration measures
Despite the tightening of immigration policies and border controls by U.S. authorities, Cubans continue to risk their lives in dangerous maritime journeys to escape the island.
The desperation caused by the economic and social crisis in Cuba drives many to seek a better future, even facing the risks of the sea and the possibility of being repatriated.
In January 2025, a group of 20 Cuban migrants arrived in Key West on a wooden boat. Although they were detained and are facing deportation proceedings, their arrival highlights the ongoing persistence of these attempts.
Days earlier, another nine Cuban rafters also made landfall in Florida, and were similarly detained by authorities. In December of last year, 18 Cuban migrants arrived in Key West and two had to be hospitalized due to dehydration.
The maritime journey from Cuba to the United States has claimed numerous lives. As of August 2024, at least 142 Cuban rafters had lost their lives attempting to reach Miami, according to a report from the Missing Migrants Program of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Despite the risks, many Cubans continue to undertake this dangerous journey in search of better living conditions.
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