Five boats head to the high seas of the fleet to show support for the Cuban people – Floridanewstimes.com

Miami (CBS)

A small fleet of Cuban-Americans and their supporters took off from Miami to the high seas on Friday. Five boats departed the Bayside Marina to stop at Key West, refuel, check in to the US Coast Guard, and then sail to Cuba. The group stops just 15 nautical miles from Havana as it shows support for the Cuban people.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Atom Chammy tells CBS News Manuel Boyorquez that the trip is legal, but traveling to Cuba is not legal and will result in a fine of up to $ 25,000 and five years imprisonment. He said there was a possibility. There are also concerns about the tropical and unpredictable weather in South Florida.

When youre 50 miles off the shore, it may look like a pretty safe ocean just a few miles from the shore, but it looks a lot different, says Chami.

The group of boaters was supposed to leave on Monday, but the event was postponed until Friday. About 100 boats were expected to attend the event.

The planned trip announced new sanctions on the Cuban Defense Minister Alvaro Pesmiera and the Cuban Interior Ministry Special Brigade to curb the peaceful opposition to democratization in Cuba, which began on July 11th. I will come sometimes. About 500 people have been detained since the protest.

The Cubans have the same freedom of expression and the right to peaceful meetings as all, Biden said in a statement.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez argues that Cuba is not a priority of the Biden administration.

The Cubans protect themselves against guns and clubs with rocks and sticks, so they sought to be as dramatic as keeping the possibility of some military intervention off the table. Suarez said.

Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Institute at Florida International University, told Boyorquez that the Biden administration is trying to find a midpoint between the Obama administrations more open policies and the rapid reversal of former President Trump. rice field.

Most of the calculations about what to do next in Cuba are related to next years midterm elections here in Florida, and Im sure its part of the debate within the White House, said Duany. rice field.

Mr Duany also said the Biden administrations stated goal of restoring the Internet to Cubans reduced by the Communist government after the uprising could help protesters maintain momentum.

Five boats head to the high seas of the fleet to show support for the Cuban people

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Five boats head to the high seas of the fleet to show support for the Cuban people - Floridanewstimes.com