Coast Guard Rescues 34 Haitians Dumped By Smugglers On Puerto Rico Cliff, According To Reports
Photo Credit: USCGSoutheast Twitter
The U.S. Coast Guard saved 34 Haitians who were stranded on a cliff in Puerto Rico after being dropped off by smugglers, NY Post reported.
USCG Cutter Heriberto Hernandez said he responded to a call of a group of people deserted on the natural reserve of Monito Cay, which is just off Mona Island, Puerto Rico, reports state.
Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez commanding officer Lt. Robert Renfrow said they successfully performed a high-risk, five-hour water rescue with 10 to 15-foot swells.
“This case is concrete proof smugglers are more than willing to abandon people in very austere and highly dangerous environments like Monito,”
Renfrow said in a statement
Cutter Heriberto Hernandez sent a small boat to collect the group. In a video posted to the USCGSoutheast Twitter, you can see the refugees moving to the lowest point of the cliff each taking turns jumping into the water and then being pulled to safety. When the small boat returned to the large vessel, the group was provided food, water, and basic medical care, reports note. The survivors, 26 men, seven women, and one boy, were transported to Ramey Sector U.S Border Patrol agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
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