Three separate at-sea migrant interdictions in the South Florida Straits repatriates 29 Cuban migrants; five on Monday December 26, 2016 and twenty four on Friday December 29, 2016. Photo: Internet source

The Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo crew repatriated five Cuban migrants on Monday and another 24 migrants on Friday. 

These repatriations are a result of three separate at-sea migrant interdictions in the South Florida Straits. In each instance, the Coast Guard helped secure the US border and prevented these sea voyages from ending in tragedy.

"It is not uncommon to see a surge in Cuban migrant flow during the winter months when there are no major storms," said Cmdr. Willie Carmichael, deputy chief of enforcement for the Seventh Coast Guard District. "We continue to strongly discourage attempts to illegally enter the country by taking to the sea. These trips are extremely dangerous. Coast Guard missions and operations in the Southeast remain unchanged and the Coast Guard and our partner agencies remain ready to stop those who take the illegal, ill advised and unsafe journey across the Florida Straits."

Since December 1, at least 669 Cubans have attempted to migrate to the US via the maritime environment compared to 619 Cubans in December, 2015. These statistics represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.