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Coast Guard repatriates 16 Dominicans intercepted near Puerto Rico
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic /Crime & Justice

Coast Guard repatriates 16 Dominicans intercepted near Puerto Rico

From Diario Libre · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 16 Dominican immigrants intercepted near Puerto Rico while attempting to cross the Mona Passage in an improvised vessel.
  • The group, including men, women, and two minors, was initially taken aboard a Coast Guard patrol boat after an aerial sighting by a surveillance aircraft.
  • Authorities warned against undertaking such dangerous sea voyages, highlighting the risks involved in illegal maritime travel.

The U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 16 Dominican immigrants who were intercepted while attempting to reach Puerto Rico via the perilous Mona Passage. The group was found traveling in an overloaded, 22-foot improvised vessel off the coast of Aguadilla on Monday.

An aerial crew from the Coast Guard's HC-144 'Ocean Sentry' aircraft initially spotted the vessel. A Customs and Border Protection aircraft joined the operation, maintaining aerial surveillance while the Coast Guard patrol boat 'Richard Dixon' intercepted the boat. A total of 19 individuals were brought aboard the patrol boat, identifying themselves as Dominican citizens.

Following the interception, 14 of the migrants were transferred to the Dominican Navy vessel 'Bellatrix' for repatriation. The two minors were handed over to representatives of the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) on land. Captain Michael D. Torgesen, commander of the Coast Guard vessel 'Richard Dixon,' called the operation a "victory for our joint operations."

U.S. federal agencies are urging Dominican citizens to avoid such dangerous sea journeys. "Anyone thinking of making an illegal sea trip: Do not go to sea!" warned Commander Matthew Romano, chief of response for the Coast Guard Sector San Juan. The Mona Passage, separating Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, remains a frequently used but hazardous migration route.

This is a victory for our joint operations

— Captain Michael D. TorgesenCommander of the Coast Guard vessel Richard Dixon, commenting on the successful interception and repatriation.
About this summary

Originally published by Diario Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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