Two Cuban boats sent out of local waters

| 30/06/2014

(CNS): As government struggles to deal with the costs and security issues surrounding the detention of mounting numbers of Cuban migrants forced to land in Cayman, another two boats carrying Cubans were ordered to leave this weekend. On Friday evening 25 migrants out of 30 were sent away by officials after they had been in the waters around Grand Cayman for almost two weeks, while five came ashore. On Sunday another boat with 34 migrants departed with just drinking water when officials delivered an ultimatum for the migrants to leave or be detained and repatriated. The men and women were aboard a cramped open wooden boat that was about 20 feet long and revealed to witnesses that they were from eastern Cuba, and were headed for the coast of Central America. (Photo by Peter Polack)

Although some of the migrants were allowed to use the bathroom facilities at the East End public beach, they were not allowed to take food as officials would not allow any delays regarding the boats ordered departure. 

The small boat had an engine but no sails or shade and large inner tubes served as makeshift outriggers.

Under the current policy of the Cayman Islands government, migrants who come ashore are repatriated to Cuba. However, an increase in numbers and delays regarding repatriation this year has led to a number of security incidents at the immigration detention centre in Fairbanks, George Town.

The CI government is due to meet with Cuban officials later this year to review the current agreement between the two countries over the repatriation of Cuban migrants who pass through local waters.

Although under current policy they are allow to pass without hindrance, they are not allowed to seek assistance for their journey. However, although officials don’t offer support, many local people and residents often give water, food and fuel to help the migrants on their journey.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    If I had my boat here I would just give it to them to help them on there journey. I wouldnt expect to be paid for it but I am sure I would be rewarded 10 fold .

    This is the most serious problem Cayman faces Too many self serving people only looking out for themselves and they dont understand why  the doo doo is allways hitting them.

    God dosn't like ugly. 

    That said whomever enforces the policy of the Govt must not have an easy life God I am sure keeps beating them down slowly and painfully 

     

  2. Just Commentin' says:

    Well!  Stories like this pretty much lay to rest the garbage that the churchyites insisted on putting into the Affirmation section of our Constitution.

    Here, let me copy it for you here so all can read and hang you heads.

    Read the words and be condemned because this land claims such lofty ideals and we pay lip service to God on our crest and in the Constitution but the people know not that this is a land of whited seplechurs full of dead men's bones:

    "The people of the Cayman Islands, recalling the events that have shaped their history and made them what they are, and acknowledging their distinct history, culture and Christian heritage and its enduring influence and contribution in shaping the spiritual, moral and social values that have guided their development and brought peace, prosperity and stability to those islands, through the vision, forbearance, and leadership of their people, who are loyal to Her Majesty the Queen; Affirm their intention to be­  

    A God-fearing country based on traditional Christian values, tolerant of other religions and beliefs. 

    A country in which religion finds its expression in moral living and social justice.  

    A caring community based on mutual respect for all individuals and their basic human rights.

    A country committed to the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom."

    So that's our intention, eh?  Got a bloody long long long way to go in making it reality I'd say.  What tripe! We are proving those high-sounding words to be utter hogwash. Better to not give God a bad name andbe honest and take arrogant and misleading references to any intention of being godly out of the constitution and off our crest.    

    Does this strike a chord all ye hypocrites that warm pews on Sunday or Saturday (or whenever the proper day of worship is supposed to be) and then sit mutely by a say nary a word when we turn away the oppressed and poor. I will bet not one preacher roun' yah will condemn this come next Sunday. Shows how worthless most of 'em are.  But let the congregation get slack on dumping money in the plates for a few weeks and they will pound their pulpits and claim we are robbing God.  It's ok to crap on the poor and needy, though…but just keep them dollars comin' in! Hallelujah!

    I cannot see us being a poorer example of  "a God-fearing country based on traditional Christian values" or "a caring community", when it comes to treating the poor and people in need with generous and Christlike compassion. A people trying their best to offend God is a more apt description and a more fitting phrase describing where our compassion and morals lie in this land these days.  A country trying their best to make even heathens look good, is more in tune with what we have become.

    Social justice? Yeah…keep on mocking God and see where that'll get ya. I somehow do not think God is so pleased right now.

    When I read that part of the Constitution and see "He hath founded it upon the sea", and compare the words to what our official policy is toward the oppressed, and those here as meagre workers on starvation wages, and the needy, I want to puke!

    • Anonymous says:

      PPM my dear friend. PPM was entirely responsible for the 2009 constitution having been implemented. Those words you quoted are their very own, I laughed the first time I read the constitution, utter drivel. It is the most rubbish I have ever read, hence why I voted NO when the time came.

      "Jus saying" I 100% back you and agree with your comment. WELL SAID.

      • Anonymous says:

        BS. You really believe that any local government was responsible for formulating the current agreement? If you do then I have some submerged land to sell you.

        I do agree that the current situation seems harsh. However, the assistance of illegal "travellers" is bigger than The Cayman Islands. So we need to comply with international norms.

        • Just Commentin' says:

          So…what happens when the "international norms" (whatever the hell that BS term means) directly contravene Chirstian principles that we have so somberly declared to hold fast to?  And what of the overarching issue of what is humane and what is not?

          As is argued by the OECD and the taxation minions, direct taxation is an "international norm". So perhaps we should ask you to cough up a goodly portion of your dollars as tribute to Ceasar each year?

          Being a colony of another country is certainly counter to "international norms"; so, seeng as we need to comply with "international norms" perhaps we need to declare independance asap?

          Gee, I am so very glad that you "…agree that the current situation seems harsh". Seems harsh?!  Seems?  You try going out into open ocean in one of those rickety boats and your BS concept that it "seems harsh" will likely evolve into you loosing bladder control and tearfully praying for deliverance if any weather kicks up. Your nonchalance about the issue places you squrely in the circle of the uncaring hypocrites.  I rest my case.

           

           

      • Anonymous says:

        I think you're missing the point. I don't think it's the lofty ideals that are the problem. It's our failure to come close to living them. Nice one for spouting your political rancor over the needs of gods children

        • Just Commentin' says:

          There ya go 12:55! Could not have said it better myself!  I am glad at least one other person agrees that the failure of the people of the land of  "He hath founded it upon the seas" are pretty much uncaring hypocrites that talk the talk but don not walk the walk for allowing this humanitarian nightmare to go unchallenged.  Thanks 12:55 for your support!

  3. Anonymous says:

    I just dont know why they dont go north to Florida and get the American dream. They are welcome as far as I know in the US.

    Someone please tell me why

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe they really really want to be Caymanian, it being paradise and all. 

    • Anonymous says:

      there are several reasons involved. first the florida strech has claimed more lives that the southern cost, second, US welcome them 'if the set a foot on american soil" not if they are caught in the middle of the sea, which happens 97% of the time if you are not riding a speed boat, when that happens they are repatriated. perhaps you have heard about dry foot wet foo law, that's why.

  4. pmilburn says:

    Shame on us for just giving them water for such a rough trip onwards.We need to be far more humane in my humble opinion and stop worrying about so called MOU s with Cuba and move on.How would we feel if the shoe was on the other foot?

    • Anonymous says:

      so, why I do not see churches helping this sailors? no christian church, anglican, not even catholic church is offering their misericordy? no food, water, gas or a clean set of clothes?

      next time someone knocks at my door representing any of them………. sinners, that's what you are

      • Anonymous says:

        Do not judge. Churches do help. It is not their MO to broadcast to the public "Look at what I did to help!"

        • Just Commentin' says:

          No but it is in their MO to publicly expose hypocrisy and decry the "whited sepulchres" and demand better treatment of fellow humans. 

          While on the subject of crying out in public about stuff like this: I kinda sorta recall that a while back a Dude some people called "The Christ" got arrested and whipped pretty bad and finally nailed on a cross to die because His "MO" was to rail against injustice and expose hypocrisy in high places. So perhaps the churchites are 'fraid" that might happen to them if they follow the crucified Guy's example and make a fuss about how we treat the Cuban boat people.  I mean we wouldn't want anybody roun' yah to endure any discomfort for the sake of their fellow man or in the name of The One that was crucified, now would we?

  5. Anonymous says:

    Send them on their way with only water. She should help if their boat is seaworthy for save passage for freedom. Our motto is ” He Founded it upon the Seas “. The Caymanian Ancestors would have never let that happen. This MOU is immoral to say the least. What happened to Love One Another. If they choose to get off the boat send them home A.S.A.P. They’re treated like criminal and cost us money and rebel. God Bless, Michel Lemay

  6. pat says:

    that's what I like about cuban men. They get off their butts and take risk for themselves and their families. wish we had more men like them

  7. Anonymous says:

    This MOU is a pile of crap and inhumane. We will suffer for these actions one day.  Cayman is a seafaring country and should treat others with much respect and humanity.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I don't know why they don't go to the US? Their borders are really porous.

    Perhaps they want to get to Central America and cross the Mexican border. Doesn't anyone find it strange that we have to go through the fingerprint photo malarkey at Miami and thousands of illegals cross every day from Mexico? Isn't this strange? Can anyone provide a valid suggestion and not something you heard off CNN?

    • Anonymous says:

      go get the information yourself lazy ass! 

    • Anonymous says:

      i will explain you for sure. we are having a workshop for "special" people like you that do not understand basic concepts.