A group of 21 Cuban migrants made landfall last Thursday on the shores of Celestún, a coastal town in Mexico's Yucatán state. Their arrival sparked a wave of tension among the town's residents, according to the Mexican newspaper El Universal. The migrants arrived in the late afternoon on two makeshift rafts, prompting a response from locals who chose to protect them from arrest.
Residents of Celestún offered the Cubans shelter in their homes, preventing the authorities from the National Institute of Migration (INM) from detaining them. Videos circulating on social media depict the weary and dehydrated migrants walking along the town's main avenue. The community was divided, with some advocating for the INM to provide medical care and legal assistance, while others actively shielded the newcomers from arrest.
As reported by El Universal, by midday on Friday, the town's mayor, Germán Jesús Cauich Pinto, was involved in negotiations with INM officials and local residents, attempting to reach an agreement regarding the migrants' status.
The backdrop to this incident is the increased difficulty of migration routes for Cubans, exacerbated by the stricter immigration policies introduced during Donald Trump's presidency. These policies ended humanitarian entry programs and strengthened maritime and border controls, compelling Cubans to seek alternative escape routes from the hardships of life in Cuba.
Earlier in October, the crew of the Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship rescued 10 Cuban migrants adrift in the Caribbean Sea near Mexico's coast. The group, consisting of eight men and two women, was spotted by the Royal Caribbean vessel off the coast of Isla Mujeres in Quintana Roo. The cruise ship's crew provided first aid and food before safely bringing the migrants ashore.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migrant Arrivals
Why did the residents of Celestún protect the Cuban migrants?
The residents of Celestún chose to protect the Cuban migrants out of empathy and opposition to their arrest, providing shelter in their homes to prevent the authorities from detaining them.
What challenges do Cuban migrants face due to recent U.S. immigration policies?
Cuban migrants face increased difficulties due to stricter U.S. immigration policies that ended humanitarian entry programs and reinforced maritime and border controls, forcing them to find new routes to escape Cuba.
How were the Cuban migrants rescued by the Enchantment of the Seas?
The Enchantment of the Seas crew spotted the Cuban migrants adrift in the Caribbean Sea and provided first aid and food, ensuring their safety before bringing them to shore.