On Sunday, six Haitian fishermen were successfully rescued by Cuban forces after their vessel was left adrift along the southern coast of the Guamá municipality in Santiago de Cuba. This incident occurred due to their boat sustaining damage from adverse weather conditions. The event was reported on Facebook by Aris Arias Batalla, the Provincial Head of Operations and Relief of the Cuban Red Cross, who detailed that the rescue operation took place on July 27 at approximately 2:00 p.m. The Coast Guard detected the stranded boat and initiated their emergency protocols for aiding shipwreck survivors.
Once maritime control operations concluded, the fishermen were brought to shore. They were met by a multidisciplinary team composed of Public Health officials, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the Red Cross, and local authorities. All the men, adults in age, recounted that they had set out from Grande-Anse-Irois in Haiti. Their vessel was battered by strong winds and waves, causing them to lose control, and they had been adrift since Wednesday, July 23.
After their rescue, they were taken to the Pedro Ortiz Cabrera Scout Camp in the Uvero Popular Council, where they received medical care, food, and psychological support. On Monday, a Red Cross delegation visited the castaways, who expressed their gratitude for the rescue and care they received. They even requested to play dominoes as a means of distraction.
One of the most touching moments involved 42-year-old Odvil Cetout, who was able to contact his brother via WhatsApp, informing him that everyone was safe in Cuban territory. "With tearful eyes and a lump in his throat," Cetout felt relieved to inform his family that they had survived hours of distress, as recounted by Arias.
The Family Contact Restoration Protocols of the Red Cross were activated by Thay Cala, who is responsible for this area, with the assistance of Red Cross volunteer Alberto Vázquez, facilitating communications. The six Haitians remain under protection in safe conditions in Guamá as authorities coordinate the next steps in compliance with international protocols for assisting those at maritime risk.
Rescues of Haitian migrants in Cuban waters have become increasingly common in recent years, highlighting a pattern of forced arrivals due to extreme sea conditions or the inadequacy of their vessels. This episode involving the fishermen adds to other incidents, such as a group of Haitians landing in Baracoa after becoming stranded, or the rescue of 141 Haitian migrants in Cienfuegos who arrived on an improvised boat. In each case, the crew members were attended to by Cuban authorities and kept under protection until they could establish contact with family members or diplomatic representatives.
Additionally, there have been incidents like a group of Haitians abandoned by their ship's captain upon reaching Cuban shores, further exacerbating the vulnerability of the castaways. Another notable case occurred in Caibarién, where a boat carrying Haitian migrants arrived unexpectedly. Similar rescues have been reported in previous years, such as the 2018 rescue of 86 Haitians near the eastern coast of Cuba.
Understanding the Rescue of Haitian Fishermen in Cuba
What led to the Haitian fishermen being adrift near Cuba?
Their vessel was damaged by strong winds and waves, causing them to lose control and drift from July 23 until their rescue on July 27.
How did the Cuban authorities respond to the stranded fishermen?
The Cuban authorities, including the Coast Guard and Red Cross, initiated emergency protocols, provided medical care, food, and psychological support to the fishermen, and ensured their safe accommodation on land.
What are the common reasons for Haitian migrants ending up in Cuban waters?
Many Haitian migrants end up in Cuban waters due to inadequate vessels and extreme sea conditions, which force them to seek refuge or become stranded.