BRIEFING NOTE ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022. 1341 HOURS.
A speedboat coming from the United States, which violated Cuba’s territorial waters in a human smuggling operation, sank to the north of Bahia Honda, in the province of Artemisa, when it clashed with a Border Guard surface unit during the identification procedure, according to preliminary reports.
As a result of the collision, the infringing vessel capsized and two other Border Guard units were sent to the area to join the search and rescue of those who traveled on board of said vessel. A total of 23 persons were rescued, 5 of them deceased (one man, three women and one underage girl).
The Cuban competent authorities are carrying out all relevant investigations in order to fully clarify this painful incident.
A new event with a fatal outcome has occurred as a consequence of the hostile and cruel policy implemented by the US government against Cuba, which tolerates and encourages illegal migration from Cuba and the permanence of irregular migrants in the US territory. The enforcement of the Cuban Adjustment Act encourages illegal departures, a situation that is used by unscrupulous persons based in that country who make a profit from such operations while ignoring their risks. Likewise, the economic, commercial and financial blockade creates enormous difficulties to the people and becomes one of the main incentives leading to this type of actions.
Thus, the US government does not contribute to guarantee a safe, orderly and regular migration and it attempts to create social destabilization.