The United States Coast Guard repatriated 16 Dominican citizens on Thursday, after intercepting an overloaded small vessel in the waters of the Mona Passage, off the coast of Puerto Rico.
The operation began on Monday when a HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from the Coast Guard detected the vessel — a 22-foot artisanal boat described as "grossly overloaded" — off the coast of Aguadilla.
According to the statement, a multi-purpose surveillance aircraft from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) joined to maintain aerial surveillance while the coast guard Richard Dixon conducted the interdiction.
From the rescued group, 19 people were boarded: 14 men, three women, and two minors, all of whom declared to be Dominican nationals, the text specifies.
Fourteen adults were repatriated at sea to the Dominican Navy ship Bellatrix, while the two minors were taken ashore and handed over to representatives of the National Council for Childhood and Adolescence (CONANI) of the Dominican Republic.
The commanding lieutenant Michael D. Torgesen, in charge of the Richard Dixon, emphasized the value of teamwork: “The aerial assets from CBP and the Coast Guard accurately guided the crew of the Richard Dixon to the scene, allowing us to intercept that overloaded and unseaworthy vessel, and successfully ensure maritime safety.”
The commander Matthew Romano, head of response for the San Juan Sector of the Coast Guard, issued a direct warning to those considering making the crossing: “Don’t venture out to sea! These journeys are extremely dangerous, relying on inadequate and overloaded vessels, without any safety equipment. Furthermore, those caught may face potential criminal charges or immediate repatriation.”
The operation falls under the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region (HSTF), established under Executive Order 14159 with the goal of combating human smuggling and irregular maritime migration.
The Mona Passage, a channel of about 60 nautical miles that separates the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico, is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the Caribbean, known for its strong currents and waves that can exceed six meters in height.
This is the third repatriation operation of Dominicans that the Coast Guard has carried out in the area during 2026: in March, they returned 60 migrants intercepted near Isla de Mona, and in June, they repatriated 32 after intercepting a vessel with 36 Dominicans, three Haitians, and one Uzbek near Desecheo, Puerto Rico.
Between October 2022 and January 2024, the agency intercepted 2,941 people aboard 91 vessels in the waters between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a figure that illustrates the magnitude and persistence of the phenomenon on this route.
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