Illegal migration

Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell says the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) had detained 17 Cubans at Cay Lobos on Sunday and that the Perry Christie administration is seeking to repatriate them swiftly to Havana.

“We have advised the Cuban government that they are in the centre and we want them repatriated swiftly to Cuba in accordance with the provisions of our agreement with Cuba,” Mitchell said, adding that the Cubans, whom he did not give much information about, had been brought to the capital.

“I want to say generally that we are watching this situation with regard to the incursion of Cubans into our waters. I have been in touch personally with the U.S. charge and the Cuban Ambassador with a view to determining what, if any special factors are driving this.”