US Coast Guard Intercepts 27 Cubans, Sends Them Back

The United States Coast Guard intercepted 27 Cubans trying to reach the U.S., the Miami Herald reported Thursday.

The Cubans were traveling in a boat last Saturday approximately 29 miles north of Cuba when a Coast Guard Sentry airplane spotted them. They were repatriated on Thanksgiving Day after being given food, water, and medical attention.

"The Coast Guard diligently patrols the Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea to ensure the safety of life at sea and the security of the United States," Rear Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the Coast Guard 7th District and director of Homeland Security Taskforce Southeast, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "United States policy is to promote safe, orderly and legal travel, and migration."

Last month a boat with 36 Cubans was stopped by the Coast Guard. All were returned to Cuba. 

"Many times these vessels we interdicted are overloaded and unsafe, and the risk simply isn't worth the possible reward," Lt. Cmdr. James Hodges said at the time. "The combined efforts of the Charles Sexton and William Trump cutter crews led to this successful rescue mission, and I'm proud of everyone involved."

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