Update on Cuban Rafters Heading to Jamaica

Six Cuban rafters, who embarked from Pilón in Granma province with hopes of reaching Jamaica, have been located safe in international waters, as confirmed by journalist Mario J. Pentón on social media.

The situation, initially shrouded in uncertainty and alarming reports, has seen updates following a brief period of family distress and public confusion.

Clarifying Rumors of Maritime Crime

For several hours, an unconfirmed report circulated on social media suggesting a possible crime at sea, causing significant concern among the migrants' relatives.

However, Pentón clarified that the "serious claims" shared recently "are not true," directly addressing those rumors.

"According to two family members I just spoke with over the phone, a tanker picked them up at sea and returned them to Cuba," the journalist specified, citing Wilmer Leandro Leyva Pérez, identified as a nephew of one of the rescued migrants.

Although Pentón did not provide details about the travelers' identities or rescue conditions, he emphasized the importance of not spreading misinformation.

"It's crucial to note that these claims haven't been confirmed by any authority and have been debunked by the families," he stated.

In his concluding message, Pentón appealed to collective sensitivity in these situations:

"I understand the anxiety, fear, and desperation of those awaiting news from Cuba, but it's also essential not to spread unverified information because behind each name, there are parents, children, entire families."

Are These the Same Rafters Repatriated by the U.S.?

Despite confirmation of the rescue and return of these six Cubans, it's unclear if they are the same individuals repatriated by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) this Friday after being intercepted 64 kilometers south of Cuba.

The USCG reported on their official social media account that a maritime interdiction operation ended with the detention of six Cuban migrants trying to leave the island. However, they did not mention a tanker rescuing the migrants, raising questions about whether it's the same case.

The repatriation to Cuba was carried out by the William Trump cutter crew, a vessel frequently used in Caribbean patrols.

"Partners continue patrolling the Caribbean and beyond, deterring illegal migration and protecting U.S. maritime borders," stated the USCG about the operation.

Shortly after, Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT) confirmed the migrants' return, noting that on the morning of December 19, six migrants intercepted at sea after illegally leaving Cuba were scheduled to be returned through the port of Orozco, in Bahía Honda municipality, Artemisa.

The official source noted that with this repatriation, the number of individuals returned this year has reached 1,669.

However, neither Cuban nor U.S. authorities have confirmed if these six individuals are the same ones who departed from Pilón toward Jamaica.

The numerical and temporal coincidence fuels doubt, but the available information does not allow for confirmation.

Context: A Declining Migration Flow with Persistent Causes

Since Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025, Cuban maritime migration has seen a sharp decline.

Reports from the Coast Guard show an almost complete drop in the number of intercepted and repatriated rafters, a trend that aligns with the stricter immigration policies enacted by the new Republican administration.

Increased border controls and maritime interdiction operations have rendered traditional routes to the United States more perilous and less navigable. However, the factors driving Cuba's exodus remain unchanged.

The ongoing economic crisis, marked by shortages of essential goods, collapsed services, rampant inflation, and a widespread sense of insecurity, continues to push hundreds of Cubans to risk their lives at sea.

Added to this are political repression, a lack of freedoms, and a deteriorating social fabric, making migration a desperate escape route.