A total of 21 Cuban rafters landed last Thursday on the shores of the town of Celestún, in the Mexican state of Yucatan, where they were safeguarded by the local residents.
The Cubans arrived in the late afternoon and evening on two rafts at this Yucatecan port, and their arrival caused tension among the residents, reported the Mexican newspaper El Universal.
The residents of Celestún finally sheltered the rafters in their homes and prevented their arrest by the authorities of the National Institute of Migration (INM).
After their landing, videos on social media show Cubans walking along the main avenue of the town, exhibiting signs of fatigue and dehydration, according to the information
Residents of this port reported that the group of men had arrived in two
While some neighbors requested the intervention of the INM "to transfer them to Mérida and provide them with medical care, food, and also review their legal situation in the country," others sheltered the Cubans and prevented their arrest.
According to El Universal, by Friday noon, the town's mayor, Germán Jesús Cauich Pinto, along with INM officials, were negotiating with the residents for them to hand over the Cubans.
With the tightening of immigration policies following the rise to power of President Donald Trump, who ended humanitarian entry programs and strengthened maritime and border controls, Cubans are seeking alternative routes to escape the harsh reality in Cuba.
At the beginning of October, the crew of the cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas rescued 10 Cuban rafters in Caribbean waters, off the Mexican coast, on Sunday night, while they were adrift in a flimsy boat that was about to capsize.
The Cuban immigrants, eight men and two women, were spotted near Isla Mujeres in the state of Quintana Roo by a ship from the Royal Caribbean cruise line, whose crew provided them with first aid and food before transferring them to solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrival of Cuban Rafters in Yucatán
What happened to the 21 Cuban rafters upon arriving in Yucatán?
The residents of Celestún, Yucatán, sheltered the Cuban rafters. Despite the presence of the authorities from the National Migration Institute (INM), the locals prevented their arrest and offered them refuge in their homes.
Why do Cubans continue to try to leave their country on rafts?
The economic and social crisis in Cuba drives many to seek a better future outside the island. Repression, scarcity of essential goods, and a lack of freedoms are some of the reasons that lead Cubans to risk their lives in dangerous maritime journeys.
How does U.S. immigration policy affect Cuban rafters?
The Donald Trump administration has intensified immigration policies, making it more difficult for Cubans to enter the U.S. The intercepted rafters are often repatriated, and only those who manage to present a strong case for political asylum have any chance of staying.
What alternative routes are Cubans seeking to emigrate from their country?
With the increase in restrictions in the U.S., Cubans are seeking alternative routes to Mexico and other Caribbean countries. Southeast Mexico and the coasts of Jamaica have become frequent arrival points for those escaping in makeshift rafts.
Filed under:
