Mexican officials detain 9 Cuban migrants

Posted on Wednesday, 05.07.14

Mexican officials detain 9 Cuban migrants
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY -- Nine U.S.-bound Cuban migrants whose disabled boat
drifted to the Yucatan Peninsula were detained by Mexican soldiers and
federal police, immigration officials said Wednesday.

The National Immigration Institute said in a statement that the eight
men and one woman were found on the streets of Tizimin, a town in
Yucatan state.

The Cubans told authorities they were headed to the United States when
their boat broke down. They drifted for 14 days, until the vessel
reached Yucatan's shore, immigration officials said.

The Cubans were treated for first and second degree burns and
dehydration, the statement said.

The Cubans told authorities five other migrants separated from the group
once they reached land.

Mexico signed a pact with Cuba in 2008 promising to deport illegal Cuban
migrants. Before, Mexican generally only briefly detained Cuban migrants
and gave them a 10- to 30-day exit order, giving them time to make their
way to the United States.

Source: "MEXICO CITY: Mexican officials detain 9 Cuban migrants -
Americas Wires - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/07/4104243/mexican-officials-detain-9-cuban.html#storylink=misearch