More than 140 Cuban migrants have arrived in Florida (United States) by sea in the last 48 hours in eight separate landings, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) said in a statement.
A total of 144 Cubans have crossed the Florida Straits on rafts and have been handed over to US authorities, who must now determine whether they can remain in the country or whether they will be returned to Cuba.
«During the past 48 hours, 101 Cuban immigrants were taken into the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol. Agents, along with support from law enforcement partners, responded to seven migrant landings in the Florida Keys,» reads an initial statement from USBP Chief of Patrol Walter Slosar Hours later, Slosar reported that another 43 Cubans have been found after making landfall with «a rustic vessel.»
According to U.S. data, more than 1,100 people reportedly tried to leave Cuba by sea and were intercepted at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) during the month of October, according to Asere newspaper.
