The United States authorities carried out a deportation flight to Cuba this Thursday, September 21, this being the sixth that has taken place in the year since these air operations resumed between both nations.
The flight was confirmed by the US Embassy in Havana, which used its social networks to share more details.
According to the diplomatic headquarters, the flight left this Thursday morning from Florida and arrived in the Cuban capital with 35 people on board.
According to the official statement, the Cubans were deported for trying to enter the United States irregularly, which is why they urged the island’s citizens not to risk their lives by trying this.
“This Thursday, September 21, the 6th deportation flight from the United States of 2023 arrived in Havana. The flight returned to the island 35 Cubans who tried to enter the United States without authorization. Don’t put your safety or that of your family at risk. Safe and legal travel,” the tweet reads.
This Thursday, September 21, the 6th deportation flight from the United States of 2023 arrived in Havana. The flight returned 35 Cubans to the island who tried to enter the United States without authorization. Don’t put your safety or that of your family at risk. Safe journey… pic.twitter.com/FVoll1Vxja
— United States Embassy in Cuba (@USEmbCuba) September 21, 2023
Deportation flights between the US and Cuba were suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but were not resumed after air borders reopened. After several meetings between senior officials, the Island and the North American country reached an agreement, starting these operations again in April.
Since deportation flights resumed, the US government has returned 322 citizens to the Greater Antilles, over six operations.
Before the flight this Thursday, The last operation of this nature was recorded in mid-Augustwhen 29 Cubans were returned to the Island.
It is important to remember that the Cubans most at risk of being deported on future flights are those who have been released into the territory with a Form I-220B, also known as a Supervision or Conditional Release Order.
The document is given to all those Antilleans who are detained trying to enter through the country’s southern border or are intercepted on the coast of Florida.
Despite these flights, and the other restrictions faced by Cubans who enter the United States illegally, the irregular flow of migrants has shown no signs of stopping.
Just this week, it was learned that a considerable number of migrants stranded in the Mexican city of Tapachula, Chiapas, is considering forming a caravan to travel to the US border.
