Puerto Rico: 27 Haitian Migrants Stuck on Deserted Island Rescued by U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday said it has recently rescued 27 individuals from the rocky cliffs of an uninhabited island between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The rescue operation began last June 7 after the coast guard detected an illegal smuggling boat in the area. All 27 rescued individuals were Haitian migrants.

The Associated Press reported that when the Coast Guard found the Haitian migrants on the uninhabited island, the conditions were dangerous, so they could not immediately rescue them.

Nine of the migrants reportedly jumped into the water but were immediately rescued. Eighteen migrants were left behind on the island.

The Coast Guard left food and water for them, then returned to complete the rescue operations the next day.

Haitian Migrants Captured by U.S. Coast Guard Has Spiked

The rescue operations were the latest in the increasing number of Haitian migrants trying to flee their country. It came almost a week after funerals were held for the 11 Haitian migrants who passed away after an overloaded boat capsized off the coast of Puerto Rico.

According to authorities, they believe the boat contained between 60 and 75 people when it capsized, with 38 rescued. Unfortunately, 11 women aboard the boat died during the incident.

Migrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republic have been trying to flee their countries in increasing numbers. The U.S. Coast Guard noted that it has intervened in 64 illegal smuggling voyages between October 1 and May 31. During these operations, they detained 1,200 migrants from the Dominican Republic and 370 Haitians. The agency also said the number of Haitians they have detained has spiked in recent years.

According to ABC News, Haiti is suffering from an increase in gang violence, with the number of kidnappings and killings also rising. Migrants attempting to flee the Caribbean country aim to have a better and safer life.

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UN Refugee Agency Urges Caribbean Countries To Protect Refugees

In a press briefing last May, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, voiced its concern for the recent increase in migrants leaving countries in the Caribbean, particularly the growing number of people from Haiti fleeing in "overloaded and unseaworthy boats."

With this, the UN agency has implored governments to help rescue these people, many of whom are attempting to reach the United States.

The UNHCR is also asking these Caribbean nations to offer these refugees unobstructed and prompt access to fair asylum procedures.

In May, the U.S. Coast Guard reported it has interdicted almost 3,900 Haitian nationals in the fiscal year 2022. This was more than double the number in 2021, which is about 1,527 Haitians.

The UNHCR noted that the reason for these crossings continues to be the region's political instability and socio-economic insecurity. The UNHCR vowed to continue working with governments to ensure the protection of refugees.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: At Least 11 Dead After Boat Of Migrants Capsized Off Puerto Rico Coast - From NBC News