SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) — The United States Coast Guard recently executed a successful rescue operation, saving 11 Haitian migrants stranded on the uninhabited natural reserve of Monito Island in the Mona Passage, Puerto Rico. The migrants had been abandoned by human smugglers, according to a statement released by the Coast Guard on Friday.
The rescue operation involved the coordinated efforts of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon and various partners from the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG).
A Lifesaving Mission
“Deterring dangerous and irregular migration to the United States by sea is both a matter of ensuring US border security and a lifesaving mission for those who take to the sea without understanding the hazards and perils of this journey,” stated Lieutenant Peter Diamontopulos, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon. He praised his crew for their exceptional rescue abilities. “I am extremely proud of my crew’s ability to rescue all 11 migrants from a highly dangerous environment with no food or water and exposure to the elements. The risk to life is not worth it; taking to the sea is never the answer. Seek legal migration pathways,” he added.
Rescue Operation
The ordeal began when watchstanders in San Juan, Puerto Rico, received a distress communication from the fishing vessel Likeo. The crew reported seeing a group wearing orange shirts, apparently stranded on the perilous rocky cliffs of Monito Island. Acting swiftly, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter and redirected the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon to verify the report and initiate a rescue.
The helicopter crew located the group on Monito Island and guided the cutter to the site. Fortunately, favorable sea conditions allowed the cutter to approach the island safely. Coast Guard crew members provided lifejackets and facilitated the rescue of the six men and five women, all of whom identified themselves as Haitian nationals.
Post-Rescue Protocol
Following the rescue, all 11 migrants were transferred to Ramey Sector US Border Patrol agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The US Coast Guard emphasized the consequences for those attempting to enter the United States or its territories unlawfully. “Migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the United States or a US territory. Furthermore, anyone who arrives unlawfully may be declared ineligible for legal immigration parole options and be repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country of departure.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants who undertake dangerous sea journeys, often under the false promises of unscrupulous smugglers. The US Coast Guard continues its vigilant patrols and lifesaving missions to ensure the safety of these individuals, while also reinforcing US border security.
