(CMR) Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) has finally confirmed reports that some Cuban nationals have gone “missing” after days of questioning and public speculation on the matter.
CMR had been informed from earlier in the week that a number of Cubans housed by the government have apparently left the island by way of a stolen boat in Newlands. These individuals include persons who are asylum seekers and are not permitted to work in the Cayman Islands. Government supports them and pays their living expenses here whilst their applications were being processed for repatriation.
There have been some concerns about their living conditions including having landlords that would not provide air conditioning or hot water because of the additional expenses that the government would not pay for. Sources indicate that government-provided anywhere from $750-1,000 for housing and food and healthcare benefits.
Some of the individuals have been in Cayman for around two years.
Earlier this summer CMR interviewed another group of disgruntled Cubans.
Our exclusive sources indicated that left early Saturday morning on a 25″ boat headed towards Mexico with a view to eventually entering the United States. So far, no one has heard from them since their departure. They went to a party on Friday evening and then departed in the morning.
Whilst customs claims 14 persons are missing our sources indicate it is actually 15 individuals. The number includes two women and 13 men.
One CMR source shared:
“Apparently, there's someone on the island making arrangements and financially supporting them. Someone who knows more about the details suppose to update me”.
Other CMR sources claimed that the Cubans in question lived in Lower Valley in the Savannah Meadows area and “left Cayman in a stolen boat”.
Questions about this matter referred to the police earlier in the week were redirected to CBC for further information.
Now CBC has issued a statement confirming that they were made aware that 14 migrants have gone missing.
On Monday, 23rd November the Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) was made aware by the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) that the electronic monitoring devices that monitored 14 migrants living in rental properties, all lost connection, and as a result, CBC has been unable to verify their whereabouts.
CBC is currently working with the necessary authorities and this remains an active investigation.
The welfare and safety of these persons are of paramount concern and anyone with information is urged to contact the confidential information hotline at 1-800-534-2546 or email [email protected].
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