Two Cubans die on the way to Honduras

The body of a female was found on the reef about thirteen miles south of Glover’s Reef last Tuesday. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and she was lying on her left side with a red and white cloth tied around her neck and under her arms. The police initially believed that there might have been foul play, but a thorough investigation by officers has revealed that she may have died from exposure to the elements at sea. But there is much more to this story than has been said officially. The group, according to our sources, numbered sixteen and there are two deaths, not one. Three were hospitalized and late reports to News Five are that only two are now accounted for from the Hospital in Dangriga, one reported has walked away. The fourteen were found in a banana farm near Independence and their boat in which they reportedly left Cuba, has still not been located. The Deputy Officer Commanding the Stann Creek Police, Alden Dawson, says the group was on its way to Honduras.

Alden Dawson, Deputy O.C. Stann Creek
“We have reason to believe otherwise since we have had some breakthrough in the identity of the person. The doctor has since conducted a post mortem on the person so we now have other reason not to believe this is any form of foul play.”

Jose Sanchez
“What do you believe may have happened to the woman?”

Alden Dawson
“From what we learned during the investigation, the female became dehydrated and ill whilst onboard traveling on the sea and later passed away.”

Jose Sanchez
“Was she travelling alone? Who was she with?”

Alden Dawson
“From what we learned, she was accompanied by the other fourteen Cubans who we presently have in custody at this time.”

Jose Sanchez
“Do you believe that she may have been dehydrated? Did she die then they put her on the reef? What have you come up with so far?”

Alden Dawson
“Well, from investigation we learned she died onboard the vessel and they kept her on board the vessel for a couple days. Thereafter they threw her overboard because the body was becoming decomposed.”

Jose Sanchez
“Where were these Cubans trying to reach?”

Alden Dawson
“From the interview with them, they were trying to reach Honduras.”

Jose Sanchez
“Now that they are detained, were all of them in good health?”

Alden Dawson
“So far we have two still at the Southern Regional Hospital and the others are in custody.”

Jose Sanchez
“This is not the first case of Cubans trying to reach Honduras that have been found at sea. Does the police plan to have them prosecuted, sent back to Cuba or are you going to let them on their way?”

Alden Dawson
“Well, I’m not certain what the action will be taken by the person who is authorized to take such action. At this time we have done our part and Immigration has come in and dealt with them. So at this stage they are being dealt with by immigration other than police.”

We have been able to confirm that the remaining Cubans are at the Hattieville prison and have been charged with Illegal Entry and face deportation. Cuban Ambassador to Belize, Manuel Rubido, says he can’t comment on the situation until he is officially informed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry about the results of the ongoing investigation.