The Port Authority of Guantánamo announced on Thursday the discovery of an abandoned small boat in the "Mesa Abajo, Playa Rufino" area of Cayo Güín, Baracoa, which actually took place on January 8, 2026.
This information was disseminated by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) via their social media channels. The vessel is described as having a white aluminum hull, measuring 3.90 meters in length, 1.42 meters in width, and 0.57 meters in depth, with no identifying details like a name, registration, or engine.
The notification comes three months after the actual discovery, following the usual delay in official releases of this nature. These announcements are typically made when the legal process for claiming or confiscating the vessel begins.
Under Article 214, paragraph c) of Decree No. 317, which regulates Cuba's Law No. 115 "On Maritime, River, and Lake Navigation," owners have 30 calendar days from the date of publication to claim the boat. If they fail to do so, the State will seize it.
Cayo Güín, part of the Baracoa municipality on the northern coast of Guantánamo, faces the Atlantic Ocean. This location has historically been a launch point for irregular migrants attempting to reach southern Florida.
This discovery follows a report from the previous day, where MININT detailed the finding of a blue tandem kayak named "TRIBE," measuring 4.02 meters in length, found on January 9, 2026, at the entrance to the Port of Moa, Holguín.
Both incidents fit a recurring pattern in eastern Cuba, where small crafts are often left deserted on shores. Authorities frequently associate these findings with attempts at irregular migration, where individuals use these boats to reach open waters and transfer to other vessels.
Understanding Maritime Abandonments in Eastern Cuba
What was discovered in Cayo Güín, Baracoa?
The Port Authority of Guantánamo found an abandoned small boat with no identifying details on January 8, 2026, in the Cayo Güín area.
Why are such discoveries significant?
These findings are often linked to attempts at irregular migration, where abandoned vessels are used to reach international waters and transfer to other boats.
What happens if the boat remains unclaimed?
If the boat is not claimed within 30 days of the announcement, the State will confiscate it according to Cuban law.