Cubans will be deported back to their home

The plight of the Cubans who were stranded about fourteen miles north of Middle Caye near the North Light House on the reef on February fourteenth has not been resolved. Two perished at sea due to exposure to the elements, and the remaining fourteen were charged with Illegal Entry. They have been remanded to the Kolbe Foundation where they remain tonight and there is word that the Cuban government has agreed to take back its nationals. Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington, told News Five in a recent interview that the government will oblige.

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Under the treaty which we have, we’ve got to send them back. We have a treaty with Cuba which requires that when they come under those circumstances they’ve got to be sent back to their country of origin. So we are going to provide facilities for them to go back to Cuba.”

Jose Sanchez
“I know in previous cases, they are given food and water and they are put back in their boat to continue to Honduras.”

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington
“Circumstances are slightly different. If they are ship wrecked and they come on board we have to send them back. The difference in treatment is based on the circumstance of their coming to Belize.”

Jose Sanchez
“So these ones are definitely going back. Will that be soon?”

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington
“That’s my understanding that they will be sent back.”

While the Minister says the Cubans will head back to the island, it is G.O.B. that will have to foot the bill to transport the group of fourteen to their country of origin which means that a date for their return has not yet been settled.