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Five Cubans Rescued by U.S. After 17-Day Stranding on Bahamas Cay

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 by Richard Morales

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Coast Guard announced on Tuesday that five Cubans were rescued from a deserted cay in the Bahamas after being stranded for an astonishing 17 days. Their ordeal began when their vessel capsized, leaving them marooned on Anguilla Cay, where they were eventually spotted by a Coast Guard aircrew during a patrol.

The group of Cuban migrants was handed over to Bahamian authorities by the crew of the cutter Robert Yered, as confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in a brief statement on the social media platform X. The statement, however, did not disclose the health conditions of the individuals or detail how they managed to survive for such an extended period on the uninhabited cay.

According to Coast Guard protocols, once migrants are located, they are provided with water, food, and medical care before being processed and handed over to the appropriate authorities. The statement issued on Tuesday did not elaborate on these procedures.

Cuban migrants who are transferred to the Bahamas typically remain detained there until they are repatriated. Due to the ongoing economic and social crisis in Cuba, many citizens attempt perilous sea journeys to reach the U.S. shores, despite the stringent immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration since his return to the White House in January.

Just last week, the USCG intercepted six Cuban rafters in Bahamian waters, as part of its continuous patrol and migration control operations in the Florida Straits and the Caribbean. These migrants were also turned over to Bahamian authorities.

Earlier, on June 6, the Coast Guard rescued another group of 20 Cuban migrants left stranded on Anguilla Cay, who were likewise placed in Bahamian custody. U.S. officials have consistently emphasized that those intercepted at sea are not eligible for entry into the United States and are either repatriated to Cuba or transferred to the authorities of the countries where they are found, as seen in these recent instances involving the Bahamas.

The flow of migrants from Cuba via the Florida Straits in fiscal year 2025 shows a significant decline compared to previous periods, based on the number of Cuban rafters repatriated in the past eight months. According to official data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), only 44 Cubans were detected attempting to enter the U.S. illegally by sea in May, while 97 tried to cross through the southern border with Mexico and nine through the northern border with Canada.

These figures are markedly low, highlighting the impact of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies on the behavior of those seeking to escape Cuba's ongoing economic and social crisis. The root causes of Cuban migration—economic recession characterized by shortages of essential goods, inefficient basic services, inflation, repression, lack of freedoms, and social insecurity—persist, yet the paths to the United States are becoming increasingly blocked.

Understanding the U.S. Coast Guard's Role in Cuban Migrant Rescues

What are the steps taken by the U.S. Coast Guard when they find stranded migrants?

When the U.S. Coast Guard locates stranded migrants, they are provided with essential supplies such as water and food, along with necessary medical attention. After initial care, the migrants are processed and handed over to the respective authorities, like those in the Bahamas.

Why are Cuban migrants often transferred to Bahamian authorities?

Cuban migrants found in or near Bahamian waters are typically transferred to Bahamian authorities due to international maritime agreements and the proximity of the Bahamas to Cuban migrant routes. This procedure is part of an effort to manage and process migration effectively in coordination with regional authorities.

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