More than 100 Haitian migrants found stranded on island near Puerto Rico

More than 100 Haitian migrants were found on an uninhabited island near Puerto Rico, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday. 

Park rangers working for the Puerto Rico Department of Environment and Natural Resources found the large group of migrants on Mona Island, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jeffrey Quinones on Tuesday. 

"What we know preliminarily is that they were transported in just one vessel," Quinones said in a telephone interview.

The group of 104 migrants is made up of 60 women, three of whom are pregnant, 38 males, and five children ranging from 5 to 13 years old. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone in the group had drowned before authorities found them. 

Happening Now!

USBP Ramey Sector is currently working on a maritime smuggling event involving approximately 104 migrants who landed on Mona Island. PR Department of Natural Resources provided the initial information, and multi-agency efforts are ongoing to rescue the migrants. pic.twitter.com/rx7pgywAxW

— Scott D. Garrett, Acting Chief Patrol Agent (@USBPChiefRMY) October 18, 2022

The uninhabited and inhospitable Mona Island is located between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The island is frequently used by smugglers as a drop-off point for boats promising to take migrants to the U.S. territory. However, many times they leave migrants there telling them they have reached Puerto Rico, reported Reuters. 

Dozens of Haitians have attempted to flee their country amid a spike in gang violence, poverty, and political instability. 

Last month, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced a fuel price hike, causing gangs to block the access to Haiti’s Varreux fuel terminal, one of the country’s main supplies of gasoline and diesel. As a result, businesses, hospitals, and public transit have ceased operations, leading to shortages of food and other goods.

The blockade has also led to a shortage of bottled water, leading to a new outbreak of cholera, which is controlled through clean water and hygiene. 

Last week, the United Nations said that 4.7 million people in Haiti are facing acute hunger as access to food is becoming increasingly difficult. 

Haitian officials have requested international support to help deal with the turmoil in the country.