U.S. takes custody of 43 Cuban migrants who arrived in Florida Keys on small wooden boat named 'Havana'

A reported 43 Cuban migrants were taken into custody early this Tuesday after arriving in the Florida Keys on a precarious wooden boat, in an attempt to seek a better life in the United States, according to a report published by the U.S. Border Patrol and Telemundo 51.

The migrants made landfall in Marathon Key’s Sombrero Beach, after traveling in a small boat that had a blue and white sign painted that read the word “Havana.”

“Earlier today, 43 Cuban migrants were taken into custody of the United States Border Patrol after making landfall in the Florida Keys,” Acting Chief Andrew Scharnweber reported on his X account from the U.S. Miami Sector. “The group of migrants arrived on a wooden fishing vessel at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. We appreciate the support from responding agencies.”

After the arrest, the group of Cubans was in the custody of the Border Patrol to be processed.

Earlier today, 43 Cuban migrants were taken into U.S. Border Patrol custody after making landfall in the Florida Keys. The group of migrants arrived on a wooden fishing vessel at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. We appreciate the support from responding agencies.#cuba #floridakeys pic.twitter.com/jW5JdZTRQM

— Andrew Scharnweber (@USBPChiefMIP) September 17, 2024

U.S. authorities have warned on multiple occasions about the dangers of jumping into the sea and crossing the Straits of Florida aboard vessels that do not have the appropriate conditions for these trips.

So far this year, 142 migrants of different nationalities have died or disappeared while making the dangerous journey to reach the United States. Dozens of them were Cuban rafters.

So far in fiscal year 2024, which ends on Sept. 30, the number of Cubans who have entered the U.S. totals 208,308, according to statistics released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office.