The migration crisis continues to escalate as more Cubans risk dangerous journeys at sea in search of the “American dream.” Recently, a Carnival cruise ship came to the rescue of around 20 Cuban rafters who were in a precarious homemade boat near the coast of Miami.
Videos of the rescue were widely shared on social media platforms such as Tik Tok, showing the desperate conditions in which the rafters were traveling. In one video, two individuals were seen bailing water out of the sinking boat with buckets to prevent it from collapsing.
Despite the timely rescue by the Carnival Celebration ship, the fate of the rescued individuals remains uncertain. The United States Coast Guard has not released further details but it is likely that they will be deported back to Cuba, as is the usual procedure for irregular migrants.
This is just one of many instances where tourist cruises have come to the aid of Cuban rafters in distress at sea. In recent months, there have been multiple cases of rescues near the coasts of the United States and Mexico. In February, the Mexican Navy rescued 16 Cuban rafters near Isla Contoy, while in January, another cruise ship saved 12 individuals adrift in the Caribbean Sea.
The ongoing migration crisis highlights the dangerous lengths that some individuals are willing to go to in pursuit of a better life. As the situation shows no signs of slowing down, the need for a comprehensive solution to address the root causes of migration becomes increasingly urgent.