A raft was discovered adrift off the coast of Long Key, in the Florida Keys, as revealed in a video shared on Instagram by the verified account @pesca_en_los_cayos. The footage, captured on October 11, shows the overturned vessel approximately eight miles offshore. "Look, folks, this is a capsized migrant boat, the waves turned it over... let's hope everyone is okay," remarks the video's creator as he approaches the boat, referring to it as "another Cuban shipwreck."
The individual notes that the raft lacks the yellow markings with the "OK" message that the U.S. Coast Guard typically places on intercepted boats, indicating the date of rescue and that the migrants were found alive. "You can't see an 'OK' anywhere, of course, it’s upside down, the waves flipped it over, but hopefully, everyone is safe," he comments.
This discovery comes amid a significant decline in attempts to reach the United States by sea. According to official data from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 857 migrants arrived via maritime routes in the last fiscal year, a marked decrease from previous years. Since February 2025, interceptions have steadily fallen: 139 were recorded in January, and only 39 in August, the lowest monthly figure in years.
The decrease aligns with the tightening of immigration policies following President Donald Trump's rise to power, which ended humanitarian entry programs and strengthened maritime and border controls. Irregular crossings at the U.S. southern border have also plummeted to their lowest levels in half a century, as reported by federal agencies in recent documents detailing the implementation of new border restrictions and the closure of the asylum system.
The video's publication on social media has sparked concern among Cuban users, fearing it might be one of the many unsuccessful migrant journeys from the island attempting to reach Florida. On Instagram, the creator urged the sharing of the footage "in case there are missing relatives or anyone who recognizes the vessel."
Key Questions About the Raft Found Near Florida Keys
Why was the raft found near the Florida Keys significant?
The raft's discovery is significant due to concerns about migrant safety and the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving Cuban migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to reach the U.S.
What does the lack of "OK" markings on the raft imply?
The absence of "OK" markings suggests that the raft was not intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard, raising concerns about the fate of its passengers.