Over 140 Cuban Rafters Die in 2024 Attempting to Reach Miami

In 2024, the perilous journey of Cuban migrants attempting to reach the United States has resulted in the deaths of at least 142 individuals. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported a total of 291 migrants dead or missing in Caribbean maritime routes this year, marking an alarming increase of nearly 18% compared to the previous year. Many of these migrants use homemade boats, which are ill-equipped for the treacherous sea conditions, leading to a high risk of drowning and other dangers. The situation has been exacerbated by the end of the Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy in 2017, which previously offered some protection to Cubans who reached U.S. soil. Since then, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted thousands of Cubans at sea, with most being deported back to Cuba. The ongoing economic crisis in Cuba has prompted a mass exodus, with nearly 200,000 Cubans arriving in the U.S. this year alone. Edwin Viales, a regional monitor for the IOM, highlighted the risks associated with these dangerous crossings, including the potential for invisible shipwrecks, where boats sink without any record of the event. The IOM has called for coordinated international efforts to address the crisis and save lives, as many boats disappear without a trace due to natural conditions and human trafficking. The Cuban population has significantly declined, with estimates suggesting it is now just over 8 million, down from official statistics of 11 million. This demographic shift, combined with the ongoing migration crisis, underscores the urgent need for solutions to the challenges faced by Cuban migrants.